Free or Low-Cost Mental Health Services Around Atlanta
There are many challenges associated with addiction and co-occuring mental health problems, and financial challenges can prevent some people from reaching the care they need. Luckily, there are a variety of federal, state, and community funded programs which make care available to those who are struggling to make ends meet. Below is a detailed list of just a few such programs in the Metro Atlanta area.
ONLINE BASED: https://openpathcollective.org/
Avita Community Partners
Cumming – 125 N Corners Pkwy, Cumming, GA 30040 / Dawsonville – 671 Lumpkin Camp Ground Rd S Suite 100, Dawsonville, GA 30534 / Gainesville – 915 Interstate Ridge Dr G, Gainesville, GA 30501
This group of healthcare service providers was formed by the Georgia State government and is offered as a community service to people who are struggling with mental health issues. Services are offered on a sliding scale payment system and depending on your income, it is possible that services will be provided at no cost to you (this does not include filling prescriptions). Since it is a community service, and not for profit, the people employed here are not in it to make large salaries and seem to genuinely want to help. That being the case, the doctors here will not prescribe potentially addictive drugs, or drugs prone to abuse such as benzodiazepines.
What to Do for Admission / Intake
Walk-ins are accepted on Monday through Friday from 8:00am until 10:00am. All that is required is a state issued photo ID and recent pay stub. It is recommended to show up as early as you can, because appointments are made on a first come, first serve basis. You will need to undergo intake and assessment before you can begin treatment. Intake is a roughly 20 minute process where some someone will ask general questions about your current circumstances (living, financial, employment, etc.) and what brings you to Avita. This is when your pay stub will be used to determine your payment scale. As mentioned, it is possible to have a 0% co-pay depending on your income.
Depending on availability, you may have an assessment that morning, or schedule an assessment for later that same day. The assessment can be anywhere from 1 to 2 hours depending on the reasons that brought you in, and is essentially a general mental health evaluation. You will go into more detail describing any mental or emotional problems you currently have, or have had in the past. This will result in a tentative treatment plan and safety plan which is a rough outline for treatment goals and strategies over the next 30, 60, or 90 days depending on your needs. Once this is complete, you will schedule an appointment to see a counselor and/or a psychiatrist to take steps towards reaching those goals.
