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Blind and Visually Impaired Community

Full History - 2022 - 07 - 20 - ID#w43u3m
8
Mental Health / Help Resources? (self.Blind)
submitted by [deleted]
[deleted]
codeplaysleep 2 points 11m ago
Lots of therapists do sliding scale pricing, especially if they're associated with a publicly funded hospital (I think they have to in that case), but a lot of them don't advertise that fact, you have to specifically ask. It may be worth calling around to some and seeing what you can work out. Also, Medicaid, once approved, can be back-dated to provide coverage from 90 days prior to the date you applied (not the date it was approved). So if you're anticipating being approved for medicaid and you're just waiting on it to all be official, you may find someone willing to work with you.

I know you've been told that there are no free mental health services in your area, but I think I'd still search and make sure. Most places have some sort of non-profit mental health center. You could try calling your local public health department and asking them.

The therapy practice I go to also has some people who are not independently licensed, but are doing their post-masters education/accreditation hours for licensing. They see patients and are supervised by other licensed therapists and they're about 1/4 the cost. You may also be able to find something like that.
OldManOnFire 2 points 11m ago
In many ways r/Blind is an informal, ongoing group therapy session. We've all felt the unfairness, we've all wondered if we somehow deserved this, we've all grieved over the loss of who we could have been if only our eyes didn't betray us.

But we are not therapists. We aren't substitutes for real medical professionals. If you can't find what you're looking for here, give your local Lighthouse or NFB a call and see if they can arrange cost-free counseling for you.
GrunMoonMan 1 points 11m ago
Thank you for the reply. Unfortunately, I have been told by the folks who operate the local RSB and the NFB that there are no such resources in my local area. I've been able to get into O and M courses, though. Still waiting on disability and insurances to approve - takes an incredibly long time.
OldManOnFire 2 points 11m ago
I just got approved for SSDI. It took a year. Lots of long haul Covid cases clogging up the system right now, but the approval is retroactive to when you first apply.

If you don't mind me asking, what are you struggling with? Would you like to talk about it?
GrunMoonMan 5 points 11m ago
It has been three years. Three years, these folks at social security have been jerking me around. I've been diagnosed with retinal dystrophy in both eyes since 2019. It's 2022 now and they still haven't approved me yet, because the federal reviewer for my case has been making me do absolutely pointless tests on my eyes. I have had three doctors write him detailed letters about my condition and how it has rendered me blind with minimal light perception what is left of my peripherals. Because of this, I have been starved at times, threatened with homelessness, abused and stuck doing what other people make me do. I have no control over my own well being and all I want to do is just work like I used to. I was a chef for ten years. Has a pretty good life. Then it all went to hell and I can't find anyone to hire me or help me get around. So, I am in O and M classes now and am trying to get back around by myself but my neighborhood is not safe. I feel so trapped and no one in my family or friends group understands how messed up this is. I'm glad I at least got the technology skills and software to use my computer.
OldManOnFire 2 points 11m ago
Wow, that sounds rough. I have RP and will soon be totally blind, but in many ways I am very lucky. I've got an amazing support system in place and we had enough saved financially to last the year until my benefits were approved. I don't even want to imagine the emotional hell of being blind and alone.

You're stronger than I am, and I salute you.
rumster 1 points 11m ago
Please let me know where you are located? I will look up sources for you
spaceship4parakeet 2 points 11m ago
Have you applied for state services? If you are outside the USA, you can go through a primary doctor or your eye doctor to apply. In the USA, most states will put you in touch with a social worker who can help you through the process of applying. Usually, if you let them know that mental health is part of the issue, they can help you get some grief counseling or whatever is appropriate in your situation. It can take time to get access, but knowing that you are working towards getting help can be helpful in and of itself until they are able to get you approval and funding.

If you are in the USA and at a crisis point, they are rolling out the 988 helpline that you can call.

To find a social worker for the blind in your state, try Googling it basically. State name and social worker for the blind.
GrunMoonMan 3 points 11m ago
I have applied to the state services, still waiting unfortunately, it has been a long and utterly annoying process - as the state reviewer just keeps delaying making a decision. Been lucky enough to be getting O and M courses and such from the local RSB, but I have been told there are no free resources for mental health in my area. I was hoping there was maybe some other resources for the mental help aspect. My current social worker has been unhelpful and really doesn't seem to care about my case or the fact that I've been living in very unhealthy and unsafe conditions. My previous social worker was incredibly helpful, but she retired and now I'm stuck with the guy who just doesn't care.
spaceship4parakeet 2 points 11m ago
That’s awful that the guy doesn’t care about your situation. Since it is unhealthy and unsafe, you may be able to find help through Adult Protective Services in your area. They may be able to connect you with better help.
razzretina 2 points 11m ago
If you’re in the US and on Medicaid you can get mental health services by having your primary care physician (pcp) refer you to them.
GrunMoonMan 2 points 11m ago
Still waiting on an approval for my Medicaid, hard knowing when I will hear back about that, but hopefully I will be able to go that route for help.
razzretina 2 points 11m ago
I hope you hear back soon! Usually if you’re eligible for SSI you’re eligible for Medicaid.
Blind_Insider 1 points 11m ago
It is best to seek professional help in public institutions that offer free service. I suppose that every country has at least one department in charge of people's mental health. In social networks you will only be able to find support groups for people with visual disabilities who share their experiences and concerns, but they can never replace the help of a professional
LAZNS_TheSadBlindAce 2 points 11m ago
Rip, I've been struggling with that question too my response was to just go to vote rehab and ask for a psychic evaluation we'll see what happens from there
GrunMoonMan 1 points 11m ago
I don't have any public institutions that offer free services where I live, unfortunately.
Blind_Insider 1 points 11m ago
Where Do You Live?
GrunMoonMan 1 points 11m ago
Missouri, the folks at the NFB and RSB have told me there are no free resources here, still end up having to pay before I can be seen.
rumster 2 points 11m ago
$1

NFB/RSB are horrible for these services. You need to go see a consular and a social worker to see what is available. Also please contact your local representatives office for resources as well. They will help depending on your district. Make sure you tell those bastards you are a committed voter.
ClearerByFar 2 points 11m ago
See if there are any community mental health clinics here https://dmh.mo.gov/behavioral-health/treatment-services/locating-services-treatment/community-mental-health-centers I’m not sure how accessible this map is but let me know if would be helpful and I can search a specific zip code.

I think many federally qualified health centers provide mental health assistance to uninsured people also (some of the items on the list above may be federally qualified health centers but I’m not sure). Here’s another list of just those https://www.mo-pca.org/find-a-health-center (again the website sucks but I’m happy to help find the closest one)
[deleted] [OP] -1 points 11m ago
[removed]
LAZNS_TheSadBlindAce 4 points 11m ago
Really dude.


That's your comment!?
rumster 3 points 11m ago
I think this person was 100% curious and no ill intention after reviewing post history.
anonymombie 3 points 11m ago
My thoughts exactly. If it's something this person is actually curious about, maybe have some tact and create a separate post asking about how blind people use technology, and we can discuss that there.
GrunMoonMan 2 points 11m ago
Screen reading software, text-to-speech and speech-to-text settings. These three technologies enable me to use technology, though in very limited fashion.
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