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Mental Health Treatment

Having Suicidal and Homicidal Thoughts

by Kristina Randle, Ph.D., LCSW April 27, 2021

written by Kristina Randle, Ph.D., LCSW

I’ve spent the last thirty years living with severe depression, suicidal and homicidal thoughts. The first twenty years I lived thinking that the thoughts I was having was normal for a guy. I didn’t know that it wasn’t until my first suicide attempt ten years ago. That’s when I was diagnosed with depression. I never told any of my doctors about my homicidal thoughts at the time. I’ve had a few more suicide attempts since my first one and my homicidal thoughts have grown stronger. I’ve thought I could control what was going thru my head but the last couple of months it’s been a real struggle. In my mind age, sex and race are not a barrier about the thoughts I have about harming another person. I don’t have health insurance and cannot afford it. Where can I turn to for help? I’m afraid I will actually harm someone. Growing up I was very physically violent to the animals I had.

If your desire to harm yourself or someone else becomes overwhelming then go to the hospital immediately, even if you don’t have health insurance. The hospital will most likely admit you to their facility because they have an obligation to do so if you are an imminent danger to yourself or others. The hospital can protect you and others.

Even if a hospital stay is not warranted at this time, it is imperative that you seek help immediately. At this point in time, your thoughts are only thoughts. You have not harmed anyone. Now is the time to find help before a crisis occurs. As you mentioned, it is becoming increasingly difficult to control your behavior. Do not wait until you’re on the verge of losing control to seek help. I understand that you do not have health insurance but free or low-cost mental health treatment is available in most communities. Often these services are provided by a local community mental health center (CMHC). Usually, the phone number for a local CMHC can be found in the white pages of the phone book. You may also want to do an Internet search to see whether the local CMHC has a website.

When an individual attends an appointment at a CMHC, they may ask you to bring information regarding your financial situation. Using that information, they may be able to assist you in accessing financial help from the county or municipality in which you live. You may be eligible for resources that you are unaware of.

I would also recommend calling the local psychiatric hospital or health department and asking for assistance regarding other free or low-cost resources. Should you decide to call the hospital, ask to speak with the social services or social work services department. Explain your situation (i.e. that you are in need of assistance and have no health insurance). The social work hospital staff is usually aware of community resources because when patients leave the hospital, it is often their job to organize comprehensive discharge plans.

This is a serious situation that should not be ignored. By not seeking help, your safety and the safety of others may be at risk. If you harm someone, not only do you potentially destroy the lives of innocent people, you may also destroy your own. It could mean spending the rest of your life in prison.

I would strongly encourage you to seek help as soon as possible. As I mentioned above, do not hesitate to go to the emergency room. If you feel overwhelmed or unable to control yourself, call 911 or a local crisis team. I hope that you are able to get the help that you need. I wish you well. Please take care.

April 27, 2021 0 comments

No Money To Pay For Help

by Kristina Randle, Ph.D., LCSW May 24, 2011

written by Kristina Randle, Ph.D., LCSW

I want to know what I should do if I can’t afford help. I am living at home and I can’t control my emotions. I have been breaking down for about 3 years now. I don’t know what to do. I have been dealing with the fact of not having money my whole life. I have never really known my parents and I’ve been moving from home to home since I was 7. Two years ago I tried to kill myself and was put in the hospital. I know that I have been depressed for awhile now and I need to get diagnosed. What should I do?

When you were being discharged from the hospital the staff should have created a comprehensive outpatient plan outlining followup treatment, even if you did not have health insurance. That may or may not have happened in your case but it should have. I am sorry if it didn’t.

Not having private health insurance or money to pay for mental health care can be very challenging but there are ways to access treatment. I have discussed these options in some of my other responses but below I have compiled a list of where to find free or low-cost mental health treatment resources. If readers of this column have other suggestions please e-mail me here. I will pass that information on to other readers.

Community Mental Health Center (CHMC). Local community mental health centers (CMHCs) are an affordable option for low-cost counseling services. CMHCs may charge a sliding-scale fee, which essentially means that they negotiate a payment plan based on what the client can afford. They typically offer services such as individual therapy, group therapy, case management and intensive case manager, psychiatric evaluations, prescribing psychiatric medication, and depending on the size of the agency, foster care arrangements, residential treatment placement and other related services.
Local Health Department. Calling the local health department can be a great way to inquire about what low-cost or free mental health services are available in your community. Call and explain your situation. They should be able to direct you to the appropriate resources if they are available.
United States Department of Health and Human Services National Mental Health Information. Their telephone number is 1-800-789-2647. They may be able to direct you to free or low-cost mental health counseling in your community.
The National Alliance For Mental Illness (NAMI). Many of the members of NAMI are seasoned veterans when it comes to navigating the mental health system. One of their main goals is to help people gain access to mental health services. Often their website or local community members can provide guidance on where to find mental health treatment. Most communities throughout the United States have a local chapter of NAMI. NAMI offers support groups for individuals dealing with various types of mental health or family issues. All of their support groups are free of charge.
School Guidance Counselors. If you are still a student, then one of the best places to ask for help is the school guidance counselor. The guidance counselor may be able to offer you immediate assistance. If additional help is required, they can provide a referral or speak to your parents on your behalf about accessing psychiatric services.
College Counseling Centers. Colleges and universities often can provide short-term counseling for their students, free of charge. University counseling centers are staffed with psychologists, social workers and psychiatrists. Many provide psychiatric evaluations and medication management services. If longer-term services are needed, the counseling center staff help students find services in the community.
University Research Centers. Many universities conduct research about psychiatric treatments and medications. Participants of research studies may have access to cutting-edge and novel treatments for mental health disorders. Being part of a research study can help someone access treatment when they may not otherwise receive any. There is no charge for being in a research study. In fact, many research studies compensate participants.

Thanks to a reader, I am reminded of how the clergy can be a (free) source of mental health and spiritual guidance.

Those are some of the ways that you may be able to access treatment with a limited budget or in the absence of health insurance. If you feel that you may harm yourself, then go to the emergency room immediately. Hospitals will treat individuals without health insurance in an emergency situation. I hope you are able to get the help that you need. Please take care.

May 24, 2011 0 comments

Depressed, Lonely & Suicidal

by Kristina Randle, Ph.D., LCSW April 29, 2011

written by Kristina Randle, Ph.D., LCSW

I am a 16 year old junior in Utah, I am an only child whose parents are both over the age of 50. As such I grew up not knowing how to speak with other children my age. Now that I’m in High School and I’ve finally realized how to speak with my fellow classmates, they refuse to talk to me using the fact that I was a “freak” in our younger years. Recently I was turned down four times by four separate girls for Junior prom. I feel alone and unloved. My parents are often gone socializing with friends or on private vacations with each other. Every time I’ve tried to discuss my issues with somebody they tell me to take care of it on my own. I have no real friends, I’ve never even come close to being invited to a party, and I’m wondering if anything I’ll ever do will be worth it. Please help me, I don’t want to die alone.

Many famous people, even movie stars, have had a similar childhood to yours. They talk and write about being socially isolated, shy, shunned, the ugly duckling. This in no way stopped them from having a successful, fulfilling adult life.

Please understand that while your life might be difficult now it likely will get better. You are lonely and depressed but that could change in an instant. I would recommend counseling as soon as possible. Your parents may not be available to provide you with the proper emotional and psychological support but they can arrange for you to see a mental health professional. Request that your parents do so immediately. You should inform them about how you’re feeling. They need to know so that they can help. They may be completely unaware of how you are feeling. Make them aware. Don’t be silent. Get help.

I would also recommend that you speak to your school guidance counselor or another faculty member about how you feel. I’m suggesting this for several reasons. One is that they may be able to help you access mental health treatment. Secondly, they can discuss the problem with your parents. Another reason is because they may be able to connect you with a peer support group.

I would also recommend involving yourself in extracurricular activities. This would force you to be in the presence of others. When an individual is depressed they may not want to be in the presence of others but doing so can be a tremendous help. Often depressed people want to remain isolated but it only makes their situation worse. The more you interact with others the better you will feel.

I would also recommend volunteer work. Volunteer work has many possible benefits. One benefit is that it ensures interaction with others. Second, many people feel good about helping others. It can be immensely rewarding. Finally, volunteer work has the potential to give meaning to one’s life.

I hope that you will take my advice. Please let me know if you utilize some of these suggestions. If you feel overwhelmed or that you are at risk of harming yourself call 911 immediately. Please take care. I wish you the best.

Dr. Kristina Randle

April 29, 2011 0 comments