Online Counseling

I have no clue where this goes, as it doesn't fit in with Bean Bags.

I was helping a friend earlier, and I discovered that there are no free online counseling websites or chat programs or anything. I find it rather stupid, and odd, that there hasn't been one created yet. Some people, my friend included, don't have the time or money for face-to-face psychiatric help. I know you have friends you can sometimes rely on, and well we have Bean Bags here... But if the people who need it aren't in immediate harm (self harm, abuse, or whatever), then they have no options really.

So my question is what, if any thing, we can do about it.

There are plenty of opportunities for state/county funding. If you actually go to a clinic, they can help you get funded.

There are plenty of opportunities for state/county funding. If you actually go to a clinic, they can help you get funded.

Really? I didn't know that.. I'll have to look it up for my friend. Thanks

It's not really a counseling site or w/e but reddit might have a subreddit or two for it, I know there's /r/suicide to help people with those issues and the community is really supportive.

It's not really a counseling site or w/e but reddit might have a subreddit or two for it, I know there's /r/suicide to help people with those issues and the community is really supportive.

Thanks for the suggestion.
I just can't be there for my friends always, and I want to know there are other ways for them to get it all out.

In the US I see a ton of people looking for help but then can't find any that they can afford. It doesn't fall under medical necessity for medicaid untill the person is trying to hurt themselves or already has, and by that time irrevocable damage has been done. Online services are prohibited from offering advice outside of a p2p setting by law, so people who just need someone to listen fall through the cracks and get to be really sick. Or dead. Lovely system, eh? I fucking hate my government.

Staunton Clinic, and my rehab were both paid for by the county because I didn't have health insurance at the time. If you aren't lazy, its easy to get help.

I would argue that if someone is really mentally ill, like depressed/suidical/bipolar, layziness is not an issue so much as coping with life in general. While the option may be there, something within their minds is not allowing them to see it as a viable option.

If you're looking for help online, then you have the capacity to get help elsewhere.

Not always.

Giving advice to friends in a forum is one thing, but to complete strangers on a website is different. You don't know them, and what words to say, and you could end up doing more harm than good. Thus, professional psychiatrists and trained specialists really need to be used, and of course they cost money, hence why there's a lack of free service.

I could conceivably see a service that was state funded though, or run by donations.

Giving advice to friends in a forum is one thing, but to complete strangers on a website is different. You don't know them, and what words to say, and you could end up doing more harm than good. Thus, professional psychiatrists and trained specialists really need to be used, and of course they cost money, hence why there's a lack of free service.

Yes. Unless the state felt like funding it, which will never happen in AMerica. That was kinda my point; that this kind of emotional health care is so expensive that normal people can't afford it, so they look for alternatives on the internet which is unprofessional opinion. If the country would get off it's ass and begin treating helathcare like a necessity, we wouldn't be having this discussion.

If you're needing help you should at least attempt to get it.  And not only online.   Jonesy said everything that could be said about that.  I would like to add, though, that the face-to-face interaction is as important.  You can't see empathy in words on a forum.   It's important to feel cared for and an online forum isn't always the best place for that. 

States may not always offer assistance, but local governments sometimes do.  The county I live in offers behavioral health services based on income.  You should always try to find someone that you can talk to face to face.  It's too important to just say "I can't" and not try. 

If you're needing help you should at least attempt to get it.  And not only online.   Jonesy said everything that could be said about that.  I would like to add, though, that the face-to-face interaction is as important.  You can't see empathy in words on a forum.   It's important to feel cared for and an online forum isn't always the best place for that.

Face-to-face is very important.
I think I shouldn't have used the words 'counseling'. I think that a lot of stress and anger is released by just telling some one.. An anonymous chat server with people who will listen and sympathize is basically what I am envisioning.
And I do agree you need to look and see what services you can find but some times you just can't go or you just can't find the means.

http://www.horsesmouth.co.uk/ is pretty good.

If your friend goes to school or college, I believe MOST educational institutes have a free psychologist students can go to talk to.