Apply for Financial Support

 

What We Fund

ACJMH was founded to primarily support access to individual therapy, but we recognize that there are often other services that can support a person’s mental health. While we primarily hope to provide funding for therapy, we also may have funding available to cover other mental health services and supports such as psychiatric care and medication costs, evidence based interventions not yet covered by insurance (such as ketamine infusions), hospitalization and intensive outpatient services, group therapy, or somatic treatments such as yoga and acupuncture. If it supports your mental health, we believe you should have access to it!

Ongoing services are awarded in 12 session blocks, and we welcome clients to reapply for additional sessions if needed. One time services are considered with a maximum of $1,500 per application.

Eligibility

We serve the Chicagoland area. We prioritize clients based on a number of factors, including financial need and clinical urgency. We also prioritize applicants who have been historically and systemically excluded from mental health care, such as applicants who are BIPOC and/or LGBTQ+. Our selection committee will review your application and contact you to get more information about your situation and needs.

Our providers

ACJMH does not employ, endorse, or screen any service providers. If you are approved for financial assistance and want a referral, we may provide options of existing therapist partners or therapists who have availability to work with you, but you are responsible to find a service provider that is a good fit for your needs. If you are already working with a therapist and are approved for financial assistance, we will talk with your current therapist about partnering with us so that you can stay with them! We prioritize partnering with providers who share identity factors with the communities we are attempting to serve. We recognize that providers from minoritized communities are most frequently asked to work at a reduced fee, and want to also support equity in pay for our providers.

Find a Mental Health Provider

how do i know my insurance benefits?

Sometimes in-network and out-of-network benefits can be incredibly helpful in making therapy accessible and sustainable! Use this form to check both your in-network and out-of-network benefits. This will help you know if you will be able to afford therapy on your own, or if you need to apply for financial assistance. We know this form is overwhelming. Insurance is overwhelming! We do recommend asking every single question on the list. We are trying our best to help you know about any odd rules or exclusions that you might face so that you are fully informed about your benefits and don’t get stuck in a position where you cannot afford your therapy. For most people, though, the answers will be very straightforward and a lot of this will not apply!

find a therapist

Now that you know your insurance benefits, here are some websites that might help you find the right therapist at the right price.

request a referral

Would finding an in-network provider make therapy financially sustainable and accessible for you, but you haven’t been able to find one? Many people find it incredibly difficult to find a mental health provider who is in network with your insurance and meets your unique needs. If you have insurance but need help finding a therapist to work with you, we would love to help! We have access to a vast network of mental health clinicians, many of whom are in network with major insurances and have immediate availability. Remember, we do not endorse or screen providers, so you still have to be the judge of who is the best fit for you. Hopefully we can get you started with mental health care that is financially sustainable and covered by your insurance!

reaching out to a therapist

Need help writing your message to a potential therapist? Here are a few things that, as therapists, make it a little easier to know if we are the right person to help you out (or if one of our colleagues might be that right person). It is 100% okay to copy and paste the same message to multiple therapists. Including all the answers to these questions in your initial message will hopefully help you get connected to just the right person to meet your needs.

1) Include a bit about what you are hoping to work on in therapy. Many therapists specialize in particular areas, and want to make sure they have the proper expertise to help you.

2) Say what you are looking for in a therapist (make sure you share any therapist characteristics that are ideal or preferred, including gender, race, sexual orientation, etc.). Make sure to ask for a referral if the therapist is not available.

3) Tell them any and all times you are available, even if they seem like odd or unlikely times to you.

4) If you have insurance you need to use in network, let them know that (and the name of your plan, so they can tell you if they are in network). If you can do out of network, let them know that as well. If you need to do a sliding scale/reduced rate, provide the range you can afford to pay weekly or every other week.

5) Let them know if you are able to meet in person and/or virtually. If telehealth is an option, what state will you be in at the time of your sessions? Therapists need to know they are licensed and legally allowed to practice in the state where you are located at the time of your session.

Crisis Support

in case of emergency

As a fully volunteer organization, we are not available in emergency and crisis situations. If you need to go into the hospital, please know that most hospitals also have financial support available, and that you have the right to be cared for in a crisis regardless of your ability to pay. Here are some other options if you need support sooner rather than later. Some of these are 24/7, while others will do their best to get back to you as soon as possible.

We know this list may be overwhelming. The reality is that sometimes crisis lines face long waits and staffing shortages, so we want to give you as many options as possible.

Many of the resources below come from NAMI Chicago. If you call their helpline at 833-626-4244, they can get you connected to the resources you need.

  • Crisis Text Line
    Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a volunteer Crisis Counselor. Free 24/7 support at your fingertips.

  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
    988 is the three-digit dialing code that will connect callers in crisis to trained counselors that will listen, understand how their problems are affecting them, provide support, and connect them to resources if necessary. Please be aware that in many situations, these calls are still routed to 911 and may involve police response.

  • CARES & SASS
    1-800-345-9049
    Crisis hotline, mental health evaluation, and other services for children and youth with Medicaid.

  • Trilogy Behavioral Healthcare
    If you or someone near you are experiencing a mental health crisis, call Trilogy’s First-response Alternative Crisis Team (FACT) at 800.FACT.400 – 800.322.8400. This is an alternative to calling 988 in Chicago.

  • The Trevor Project
    Available 24/7, Trevor Project’s trained counselors understand the challenges LGBTQ+ young people face. They will listen without judgment. All of your conversations are confidential, and you can share as much or as little as you’d like. Text START to     648648 or call 1-866-488-7386.

  • 311 City Services
    If you are in need of an immediate shelter in the city of Chicago, call 311 to request assistance.

  • National Runaway Safeline
    1-800-786-2929
    The National Runaway Safeline works to keep young people who’ve run away or are experiencing homelessness safe and off the streets. If you are under 18 and need a place to stay tonight, call 1-800-RUNAWAY .

  • Lutheran Social Services of Illinois
    If you need mental health services to come to you and you are located on the north or northwest side of Chicago, you can call Lutheran Social Services Mobile Crisis team at 833.610.5774. Their crisis team comes to your location in an unmarked vehicle to meet with the person in crisis (any age) and work with them to determine next steps.

  • HRDI Community Triage Center
    Open 24/7, you can call (773) 291-2500 or walk-in for immediate support. They are located at 200 East 115th St (115th & Indiana), Chicago, IL 60628. They offer mental health crisis assessment, substance use screening, referrals for treatment, and case management.

  • Bobby E.Wright Comprehensive Behavioral Health Center
    The Bobby E. Wright Comprehensive Behavioral Health Center (BEW) is located at 5002 W. Madison Ave, Chicago, IL, 60644. It is a non-profit that has provided quality mental health care, addictions treatment, and evelopmental disability services for more than 51 years. B.E.W. provides support and treatment to youth, adults and families living within Chicago’s Westside communities and surrounding areas. No one is denied services due to inability to pay. Call 773-722-7900.

  • Thresholds’ Mobile Crisis Response Team
    773-572-5464
    All persons located in Chicago zip codes 60613, 60640, and 60657 are eligible. Their service provides access to emergency mental health intervention to people experiencing a mental health crisis. Thresholds clinicians response to the mental health crisis, acting as an alternative to hospitalization or police response.

  • The Living Room - Thresholds
    773.537.3601
    Staff at the Living Room help guests through a screening and assessment process in a natural, comfortable setting. They are ready with a number of trauma-informed supports and interventions to help meet the needs of each individual. This model has been successful in preventing unnecessary psychiatric hospitalizations that can be distressing and exacerbate mental health symptoms. They are located in Ravenswood at 4423 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL, 60640.

  • Trans Lifeline
    1-877-565-8860
    Trans Lifeline provides trans peer support for our community. Trans Lifeline is run by and for trans people.

  • Veterans Crisis Line
    1-800-273-8255 or text 838255
    24/7, confidential crisis support for Veterans and their loved ones.

  • Between Friends
    1-800-603-HELP (1-800-603-4357)
    Between Friends is dedicated to preventing domestic violence and ending the cycle of abuse by equipping communities in Chicago with the tools necessary for everyone to feel safe and equal in their relationships.

  • City of Chicago Domestic Violence Helpline
    1-877-863-6338
    The City of Chicago Domestic Violence Help Line is a 24-hour, toll-free confidential number that provides services and information for those experiencing domestic violence.

  • Chicago Rape Crisis Hotline
    888-293-2080
    Operating 24/7, the Rape Crisis Hotline provides survivors and their significant others immediate support, crisis intervention and referrals for the city of Chicago and surrounding suburbs. The Chicago Rape Crisis Hotline is also the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN) affiliate for the city of Chicago.

  • National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN)
    1-800-656-HOPE (1-800-656-4673)
    RAINN is the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization and hotline—call for services and resources.

  • Call BlackLine®
    1 (800) 604-5841

    Call BlackLine® provides a space for peer support, counseling, reporting of mistreatment, witnessing and affirming the lived experiences for folxs who are most impacted by systematic oppression with an LGBTQ+ Black Femme Lens. Call BlackLine® prioritizes BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color). Call BlackLine® also has the option for you to text.

  • Postpartum Support International Helpline
    1-800-944-4773 (English & Spanish)
    Leave a confidential message any time, and a trained and caring volunteer will return your call or text. Their volunteers return messages during business hours. They will listen, answer questions, offer encouragement and connect you with local resources as needed. Text in English: 800-944-4773 or en Español: 971-203-7773

  • Illinois Helpline for Opioids and Other Substances
    1-833-234-6343 or text HELP to 833234
    The only statewide, public resource for finding substance use treatment and recovery services in Illinois serving people using opioids and other substances, with or without insurance.

  • Wildflower Alliance Peer Support Line
    1-888-407-4515
    The Wildflower Alliance is a grassroots Peer Support, Advocacy, and Training organization with a focus on harm reduction and human rights.

  • StrongHearts Native Helpline
    1-844-762-8483
    StrongHearts Native Helpline is a 24/7 safe, confidential and anonymous domestic and sexual violence helpline for Native Americans and Alaska Natives, offering culturally-appropriate support and advocacy.

  • LGBT National Help Center
    1-888-843-4564
    All of the support volunteers at LGBT National Help Center identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ family, and are there to serve the entire community by providing free & confidential peer-support, information and local resources through national hotlines and online programs. The LGBT National Hotline (888-843-4564) is a confidential safe space where callers of any age can speak about sexual orientation or gender identity/expression issues. This includes coming out issues, relationship concerns, bullying, workplace issues, HIV/AIDS anxiety, safer sex information, suicide, and much more.