If you need help for mental health problems, you should know that they are as treatable as other health conditions.
The Pennsylvania Psychiatric Society is a professional organization for psychiatrists and its staff cannot provide medical advice or counseling. We do not have a specific referral service, but if you are suffering from a mental illness or other emotional problems, here are some suggestions to assist you in finding appropriate help:
- Call your family physician or PCP (primary care physician) for a referral to a psychiatrist in your area.
- Call your health insurance plan and ask for a referral to a psychiatrist. There is usually a phone number on the back of your insurance card for you to call.
- Look in the phone book under the section for Physicians and Surgeons by specialty, and then find the “Psychiatry” section.
- Call your county's Mental Health/Mental Retardation Services office. The phone number is usually listed in the blue pages of phone directories, under “County Government” or “Guide to Human Services.” This is an option for anyone, those with and those without insurance.
- If you are feeling desperate or in need of urgent care, go to your local hospital's emergency room and ask for assistance.
Remember: effective treatments are available for mental illnesses, which are as varied, as treatable, and as common as physical health problems. If you need help, don't delay — take one of the steps above and ask for help now.
