In the American health care system, the conversation ends with “It costs how much? Sorry, I can’t afford that.” The system discriminates against the poor because it’s geared toward making a profit instead of treating health care as a right.
Unfortunately, most universal health care systems don’t cover mental health, and the coverage on private insurance systems for mental health care is barely enough to cover 3 sessions. So, the conversation when trying to find help for depression and other mental disorders also end the same way.
Its funny, my therapist dumped me after 20+ years, and I had nothing. Its taken me four months to get a new one but now I have two. If I didn’t have somebody to come home to I’d have never survived.
My therapist is getting up there for age and sees me as one his charity cases because I’m an inured worker case, so most good ones won’t even touch me. It dodges every time I try to ask but I’m pretty sure he isn’t getting paid despite, an attorney getting 25% of my disability and never doing the damn job of taking care of that….
I Went through 6+ at the public dumping grounds and was barely verbal (was very talkative before I started with them) when started with him from how bad they were. There is no exit plan, this no planned hand off, hell I sure didn’t expect to still be here or this to ever be an issue for us, when we started…..
I just love how society will tell you that you should seek medical attention when you have so much as a trivial skin blemish, because “you should take care of your body!” but when the problem is with your brain, which is part of your body, “iT’s AlL iN yOuR hEaD!”
What? Really?! I had no idea that my squishy-thinky-bits were in my *head!* Who could have guessed?
The rest of your meatsack, which is really just a messy, inefficient life support suit for the brain, is totally deserving of every bit of care and attention you can lavish on it… but care for the thing that the rest of you literally exists to preserve and transport is a luxury. But, of course, if what you needed help with kills you, then you’re a pathetic failure who should have just toughened up and dealt with it. Y’know, because that’s *definitely* how that works.
the “why didn’t they/you just get some help” conversation around suicidal ideation never fails to….ironically enough…bring on Bad thoughts. the wheel keeps on turning and we keep losing people…ugh.
Opus the Poet says
That’s the American Health System for you.
clay says
Honestly, it’s the same all over the world, especially when it comes to mental health.
Agarax says
In the American health care system, the conversation ends with “It costs how much? Sorry, I can’t afford that.” The system discriminates against the poor because it’s geared toward making a profit instead of treating health care as a right.
Felis Dee says
Unfortunately, most universal health care systems don’t cover mental health, and the coverage on private insurance systems for mental health care is barely enough to cover 3 sessions. So, the conversation when trying to find help for depression and other mental disorders also end the same way.
Nat says
And the UK health system.
Marc says
And Germany. Too few therapists, too many patients. (This goes for regular doctors, too, not just therapists.)
Dana W says
In the US system the appointment is probably $200-$300 a session of you don’t have insurance. In that way we are special.
Dana W says
Its funny, my therapist dumped me after 20+ years, and I had nothing. Its taken me four months to get a new one but now I have two. If I didn’t have somebody to come home to I’d have never survived.
Bil says
My therapist is getting up there for age and sees me as one his charity cases because I’m an inured worker case, so most good ones won’t even touch me. It dodges every time I try to ask but I’m pretty sure he isn’t getting paid despite, an attorney getting 25% of my disability and never doing the damn job of taking care of that….
I Went through 6+ at the public dumping grounds and was barely verbal (was very talkative before I started with them) when started with him from how bad they were. There is no exit plan, this no planned hand off, hell I sure didn’t expect to still be here or this to ever be an issue for us, when we started…..
JC Hale says
I just love how society will tell you that you should seek medical attention when you have so much as a trivial skin blemish, because “you should take care of your body!” but when the problem is with your brain, which is part of your body, “iT’s AlL iN yOuR hEaD!”
What? Really?! I had no idea that my squishy-thinky-bits were in my *head!* Who could have guessed?
The rest of your meatsack, which is really just a messy, inefficient life support suit for the brain, is totally deserving of every bit of care and attention you can lavish on it… but care for the thing that the rest of you literally exists to preserve and transport is a luxury. But, of course, if what you needed help with kills you, then you’re a pathetic failure who should have just toughened up and dealt with it. Y’know, because that’s *definitely* how that works.
Isaac P. says
To say nothing of the amount of motivation needed to kill yourself anyways. It’s not as easy as just pressing the “give up” button.
Gabe says
the “why didn’t they/you just get some help” conversation around suicidal ideation never fails to….ironically enough…bring on Bad thoughts. the wheel keeps on turning and we keep losing people…ugh.
Gabe says
….this comment came off as way darker than i intended. beautiful work as always, Clay! hope you’re doing okay…