I am struggling with codependency and depression. I cannot afford therapy. What can I do to get help?

You can start getting help by talking to people here on 7 Cups, you can try to do things you enjoy, getting out more and trying new things. You could try writing little notes to yourself and writing positive quotes to help you.

There are a lot of ways to get help for free. Many, if not all colleges, offer free therapy to students and alumni as well as hospitals being able to provide therapy to individuals that may not have the money to do so.

Get support. Talk to people. Open your heart to people you trust even if it is hard. It helps to feel supported. There is this quote I love, "I don't need you to save me. I need you to hold my hand while I save myself." I don't believe you are helpless but I am not discrediting your codependency and depression, I just believe that you can overcome it---you just need support. Healing happens when the positive experiences and stimuli outweigh the negatives. If you are feeling what you are feeling, you need to re-balance your life by introducing positive mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical experiences in your life. That's why people get so overwhelmingly happy when they travel: they get out of the negative loop they're in. Get yourself out of the negative loop by making positive memories in your life. Here's some guide questions: I feel most fulfilled whenever I _________. What came out? Message me or any listener to help you with this!

The first step should be confiding your codependency and depression with people you trust. Getting support from your loved ones and being able to be vulnerable towards them leads to stronger social connections, and stronger bonds with people aids with alleviating codependency and depression in the long run.

Options such as support groups, which are often very inexpensive or even free, as well as a pro-bono therapist may be good options. It would be best to research your general area and see if there were inexpensive options for treatment. Another option is reading self-help books and watching documentaries, which I've greatly found to help certain people, whereas others may not benefit from it as much.

Seek for self-peace. Go online, see what you love to do, adventures or just talking with others. Learn about depression and codependency and try to solve it without hurting yourself in the process

Therapies can be quite expensive sometimes and not everyone can afford them, in such situations one can reach out to trusted person as counselor, who you trust and are sure that person will not judge you and if you think you'll be judged you should message someone anonymously using platform like this. And also from my personal experience reading self-help books and listening to motivation speeches can be quite helpful.

Try talking to some of our listeners here on 7cups! (I am one aswell!) we are always here to help you when you need us. xx

Talk to someone here. There are many people who have overcome these issues and will understand your struggle. There are a diverse range of resources available also including forums and information written by people just like you.

There are several free services online and locally in your area. If you are in school, your institution will most likely offer counseling services for free. Your workplace may have a free counseling or therapy department, too. Beyond that, there are several depression hotlines that you can research and call toll free. If none of these interest you, perhaps reaching out to a trusted family member or friend may be a good option.