I don’t have meds because I have never formally been diagnosed with anything.</p>
<p>When making yourself vulnerable is the one thing that scares you more than anything else, asking for/receiving help becomes really really difficult. I know that this seems trivial to a lot of people but it’s not trivial for me.</p>
<p>I have actually considered going to an ER pretending to be suicidal, just to be placed on an involuntary 72-hour hold. Maybe that would give me a chance to get a full psych and social evaluation without running away halfway through.</p>
<p>I haven’t seen anyone dismiss your concerns as trivial. You said you are really, really, really scared and people believe you.</p>
<p>Here’s the thing. If you think you feel vulnerable asking medical professionals and college administrators for help, you are going to be 100 times more vulnerable out on the street. So you need to view this process as your taking healthy control of the situation, before it overtakes you.</p>
<p>By refusing to take action to help yourself, you are in fact making a decision to let events overwhelm you and to allow a scenario - homelessness - where you will be powerless. Go, now, to the counseling center and explain to them it IS an emergency, with everything you said here. My child’s college also has a 24-hour crisis line for counseling. Go, or call.</p>
<p>have actually considered going to an ER pretending to be suicidal, just to be placed on an involuntary 72-hour hold. Maybe that would give me a chance to get a full psych and social evaluation without running away halfway through.
Do NOT do that. First, you will have to spend the rest of your life with that involuntary commitment hounding you. Second, unless you have outstanding insurance, that will be several thousand dollars - and you do not need the stress of bill collectors haranguing you for money you don’t have.</p>
<p>If you truly need short-term housing, consider going to a YWCA. They often offer very low-cost, albeit very basic, housing. They may be able to refer you to low-cost housing.</p>
<p>Consider contacting a church outreach service. I did some googling and found the Lutheran Social Services of Northern California; they do transitional housing for people, especially those with mental health problems. </p>
<p>If you can get a waitressing job, do so. (You get your tips immediately, which helps when you can’t afford to wait for a paycheck in a couple of weeks.) Contact temp agencies; they may be able to place you into a job.</p>
<p>If you are going for social services, do not panic about the intake interview. It is very straightforward and people, believe it or not, have better things to do with their time than to make you miserable. You will automatically qualify for some programmes based on your income (or lack thereof), assets (or lack thereof), and housing (or lack thereof).</p>
<p>((((Hugs)))) good job on getting away. I hope you are able to heal. Maybe a domestic violence place can help you if you explain this is happening because of abuse issues.</p>
<p>A former boss of mine gave me the advice to, “…be fearless when asking for help.” This is not the time to worry about imposing. Be honest with friends and their families. It’s a huge compliment to be open with your friends when you’re feeling vulnerable and the best of your friends will rush to help you. I’m sure of it.</p>
<p>As a practical matter, reach out to churches in your area, esp. the Catholic Church. Regardless of your level (or lack) of faith, they will help.</p>
<p>“I have actually considered going to an ER pretending to be suicidal, just to be placed on an involuntary 72-hour hold. Maybe that would give me a chance to get a full psych and social evaluation without running away halfway through.”</p>
<p>Yeah, dont do that. Without insurance you are unlikely to be hospitalized in N. Cal and you sure won’t get a “full psych and social eval”. </p>
<p>Help me understand why the mental health eval is the priority. It sounds like you need a shelter. What county are you in? Do you need a list of shelters in your area? They each have their own rules, for example at the ones around here you have to leave and do something productive, and “pay” later with community service.</p>
<p>Please contact the school chaplain and if the town or city that you are in has a Christian mission/shelter also check them out. The shelters have many trained counselors who will help you and work to get you in a safe place and set up a program for you to follow that will help with employment, housing and medical services. I will be praying for you!</p>
<p>People fall down sometimes. Do what it takes to get back on your feet. Ask for help. Don’t pressure yourself to get better fast. When you’re back on your feet again, you can pay it forward to society. </p>
<p>Don’t worry about being a burden now. Taking a little now and giving back later when you are in a stable spot in life is far better than being homeless now without reaching out to get better for the rest of your life.</p>
<p>There is someone at your college who is called the “Dean of Students” - He or she really is there to help you. Email or call this person’s office - he or she may be able to point you to someone who can help you. The college chaplain’s office is a good idea, too, of course.</p>
<p>Check Craigslist for jobs and places to stay that are close to where you are, where you have some friends.</p>
<p>You have never actually been diagnosed with any sort of mental illness? Maybe you have a physical problem or have just become overwhelmed by being on your own. I hope you can get the help you need.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that because of your upbringing, you possibly did not learn basic coping and life organization skills. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It’s impossible to know what you don’t know. Every day adults ask for help from professionals. You wouldn’t fill your own cavity or set your own broken leg. You don’t need to muddle through this alone.</p>
<p>I like the advice someone gave earlier … that go to the mental health services and or social services office in person instead of trying to reach them over the phone … and if the thought of being interviewed causes anxiety, take a friend you can trust along with you. Having someone you know by your side should help you in not feeling all alone at that time. But do seek ALL the help you can without thinking too much about being burden on someone. There are programs out there to help people in your situation, and do NOT consider being homeless as an acceptable outcome. If you think things are difficult now, they will be ten times more difficult when you don’t have a security and stability of shelter over your head. </p>
<p>By being where you are in your life … in college … especially under your circumstances … you have already accomplished a lot. Don’t let all that work go to waste by not seeking all the assistance you can to resolve your issues.</p>
<p>advicesought, the Dean of Students is there to help in situations like yours–at the very least they should be able to point you towards social services and counselling. Don’t worry about being a burden, and realize there are people there who want to get you the help that you need. Good luck!</p>
<p>@maidenmom - MaineLonghorn’s “job” on CC is to edit posts that may include private content or offensive content or posts that violate CC rules. It is my guess that the OP has divulged too much private information.</p>
<p>to OP - My thoughts are with you. I think you’ve gotten some great advice and resources. Don’t go through this alone!</p>
<p>I think it may affect your loan repayment and a bunch of other things, so you may need to make sure to get a “medical leave” from school, other than appearing to just quit on your own. I am not certain of this advice, so please check into what is best for you.</p>
<p>If you feel that it is an option for you, check into possibly being a nanny (to whatever level you can handle). It is a job I did when I was a poor starving college student. I also was live in help for an elderly lady. I also slept on the floor in a house with 5 other students. </p>
<p>There are options out there. If it is too stressful for you to work on that. Have a friend check into these for you and to narrow it down to 2 choices, so that you are not overwhelmed with 10 choices.</p>
<p>Are you willing to divulge which school or town you are in, in the event that any of us can help you personally? I have found that CC people are really kind of awesome :-)</p>
<p>Best of luck. I’m so happy that you are at least here asking for help.</p>