I am going to be 20 next month, I am female. I am having a very very difficult time with my depression and I have no idea what to do. I honestly feel useless hopeless and worthless. I can't fall asleep and when I do I never want to wake up. I eat well though. I have a boyfriend (2.5 years) and I live with my father, his wife and my dog (a small papillion dachshund) mix. She helps me with the depression but I just can't handle feeling like this anymore. I reside in CA and I have Medi-Cal. But finding a Psychiatrist that accepts Medi-Cal is just pretty much impossible, also I don't drive so they would have to be local. I have a part time job, I have no friends however. When I'm with my boyfriend I'm not depressed as much as when I'm alone but still sad. I see him roughly 3 days a week (weekends usually) Anyway, I'm really a just desperate for help, please if anyone has hints, or tips on helping me get through this... I AM DESPERATE!

You don't have to see a psychiatrist specifically. Are there counselors or social workers who do counseling close to you?

Have you been to college or a trade school?

I am unaware of any around me however there is a Mental Health building close and I have called them but they do not accept my Medi-Cal, the reason I say Psychiatrist is because I have spoken to counselors before about this (school counselors) and they all said that I am very depressed and show signs of Bipolar Depression, speaking of my 2 sisters and mother suffer from Bipolar depression and it is more than likely I have it and I have read and heard that I will need medication, and Im not trying to get "pills" or anything but Im just so insanely desperate that I will try anything.

I'm thinking at least start with a counselor to evaluate you and figure out what you should do next.

Is there anyone like that? I thought most of them take Medi-Cal.

None that I am aware of but I can search it on Google and see. And as for them accepting Medi-Cal I really doubt it because I have called around a few psychiatrists and asked and they said no, but I am not sure on counselors.

Have you tried the county health services office? Have you asked the reference desk at the library to help you find someone close to where you live?

I do not have transportation to get to County Health Services Office, however I do live on the same block as the Library, I did not know that they had that information there. I will go ask.

Librarians know how to find out anything you need to know. ;) Your library's reference desk probably has a paper list or database or even a binder of area counselors, social workers, and psychiatrists with info on what they accept and how they work (what style of therapy).

In the Chicago area there is a main county office with lots of satellite (neighborhood) offices. That may be the case in your county?

Ok well thank you so much, I will definitely go over there a little later and ask one of them. Hopefully they have helpful information for me. :)

You could even call. Librarians do a lot of phone reference.