A lot of people aren't sure where to begin when seeking professional help for mental health challenges, and that sense of confusion can lead to not reaching out. Other times, people have one conversation about it, but maybe aren't sure where to follow up, or whether they can afford treatment. People may think that treatment automatically means medication and be hesitant to explore further. This can be hard to sort out, especially if you're looking for help for yourself.

Help is available, and whether you're the person facing a mental health challenge or a friend or caregiver of someone struggling, this page can help guide you in seeking professional help.

IMPORTANT REMINDER: If you know you want professional help, but scanning this page feels like a lot, please check out Talk to Someone Now. There are organizations that can help pair you with the right kinds of resources or be a partner in walking through the process. And if you or someone you care about is in immediate danger or crisis, call 911 or 988 (988 is the Suicide Crisis Lifeline).

There are a number of examples available online that may help you in figuring out how to ask for help.

If you're the person getting treatment, it's likely that your provider will ask you a lot of questions when you begin the process of receiving care. They are likely to ask you about your family, friends, and general support network, in addition to your everyday experiences. This is all normal. It's important to be as open as possible, because all of the information helps the professional figure out what treatment plan is right for you. Be sure to mention any physical symptoms you experience on a daily basis in addition to thoughts and feelings, such as extreme tiredness or a racing heartbeat when you experience stress.

As you may know, a lot of mental health care is paid for through your health care coverage.

If you know you have health care coverage, you can check with your insurance company for information about providers, expenses for care, and other details such as whether a referral from your primary care provider is necessary to receive certain types of care. Here is some information from Mental Health America on things to explore with your insurance company.

If you are uninsured and need coverage, you may want to visit Get Covered New Jersey, which is a website where you can search for health plans, and find out which plans are the right fit for you. Get Covered New Jersey is a great place to start because it can also tell you whether you qualify for NJ FamilyCare, which is New Jersey's Medicaid program.

Applying for insurance involves providing information on your household's income, confirming how many people live in your household , and the ages of people needing coverage. You will also need Social Security or ITIN numbers, and employer information (pay stubs, W-2 forms) for you and/or your parent or caregiver. Here is a good page for parents or caregivers to check out to learn more about the requirements for obtaining health insurance coverage.

If you are uninsured and are unable to get coverage right now, federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) are good options for receiving immediate care. These centers charge on a sliding scale and do not turn anyone away due to a lack of funds. You can search for the ones closest to you here.

It is also possible that you may identify a therapist you would like to see that does not take your insurance, in which case you have the option to pay for services out of pocket. Be sure to communicate about fees with your provider before your first visit. You may want to ask whether they have flexibility on their fees or a sliding scale. If you are a college student with access to a campus health clinic, it may make sense for you to ask them for recommendations for affordable therapists in the area.

You, and your loved ones, are worthy of support. Seeking help is an important step towards acknowledging and addressing mental health challenges.
If you have your appointments set up and are just waiting for the day of your first appointment to arrive, here is a helpful written article from the JED Foundation on 8 Ways to Take Care of Yourself While Waiting for Mental Health Care.

• NJ Children's System of Care (CSOC) is designed to assist New Jersey's families and young people access publicly funded services for youth up to age 21. It's administered by PerformCare and help is available for children, adolescents, and young adults seeking behavioral health, intellectual/developmental disability, or substance use treatment services. Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in English and Spanish — 1-877-652-7624 TTY 1-866-896-6975. You can also check out their site for educators or read this summary flyer.
• The NJ Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMAHS) offers a directory of mental health services by countyat this link. If you are looking for a mental health crisis center, you can also view the directory here in both English (Designated Screening Centers) and Spanish (Designated Screening Centers).
• The SAMHSA Treatment Locator is a confidential and anonymous resource for people seeking treatment for both mental illness and substance use disorders (Home - FindTreatment.gov).
• TheNew Jersey ResourceNet can help you find both mental health and community services specific to your county.