# Mental health for the unemployed

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mental-health-for-the-unemployed/503000>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 14, 2009, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mental-health-for-the-unemployed/503000 "2009-07-14T17:04:28Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Lanzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/74df32/32.png) [@Lanzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lanzy)\
**Post date:** [July 14, 2009, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mental-health-for-the-unemployed/503000/1 "2009-07-14T17:04:28Z")

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Does anyone have any experience with obtaining some counseling in Orlando Florida for the destitute?

No, I’m fine but I have someone that isn’t and they litterally have no funds available. I can give them some money but I can’t afford to finance a possible months (years?) long commitment to counseling.

Thanks in advance, and just to be sure I’m looking for free (or low cost) counseling, not medical advice.

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**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\
**Post date:** [July 14, 2009, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mental-health-for-the-unemployed/503000/2 "2009-07-14T18:19:21Z")

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There’s a DBSA (Depression and Bipolar support Alliance) group in Orlando.  
They should know how such things are done down there.  
contact info here:  
[http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=support\_findsupport](http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=support_findsupport)

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**Author:** ![Serenata67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/serenata67/32/10646_2.png) [@Serenata67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Serenata67)\
**Post date:** [July 15, 2009, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mental-health-for-the-unemployed/503000/3 "2009-07-15T02:50:17Z")

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I wish you the best of luck. I was once in that situation and it can take months to get through all the red tape. But it’s worth it if you really need the help. It pulled me through.

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**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\
**Post date:** [July 15, 2009, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mental-health-for-the-unemployed/503000/4 "2009-07-15T05:28:15Z")

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Usually mental health is structured at the county level, except in a few cases like Chicago, where Cook County Mental Health (which has excellent sliding fee scales) is seperate from Chicago Mental Health.

Go to the [Orange County Site](http://www.orangecountyfl.net/cms/default.htm) and look at the top there is a drop down box marked “Quick Link” look at Health and Family Service or Health Services and go from there.

If you need other services, I found the Salvation Army is excellent for resources and programs. Now they do have a religious tone to them, so some people find that a put off, but I’ve seen them pretty much work miracles on some people.

So if the county doesn’t work out, try them, in Chicago I know they will provide numbers to other groups if you don’t like their religious aspects.