Mental Health Association of Southeastern Penna

I turned to this agency for help, and wasn’t helped much. From visiting their offices, I did see that they do help people, but for my particular needs, they did nothing.
They offer a phone number on their web site to call if you don’t know where to turn. I didn’t, for what I’m dealing with. It took leaving several phone messages before I finally did speak to a living person. I told them I was looking for therapy, including group therapy if that was the only kind available, on a sliding scale. They gave me a name and number of another official there. That person told me they had no such service, and I’d just have to search myself for therapy on a sliding scale.
I also applied for a *caring friend.* I don’t recall the exact name of this service, but MHASP pairs you up with a volunteer who isn’t a mental health professional, they just serve as a friend to lend moral support and friendship. I filled out a long application and went in for an interview with a woman working there. I won’t give her name. I went through several months of unanswered phone calls and emails from her, with me becoming increasingly angry and frustrated. Finally I got an email from her superior saying that she no longer works there, and I’d have to contact another staff person. I don’t know if the woman who interviewed me was terminated, or if she quit because she realized that the job was too much for her.
Unhappily, I did what I’m guessing MHASP was hoping I’d do, given that social services agencies are stretched pretty thin these days – I gave up. I’m struggling to get along on my own. I get the impression that if you don’t have a mental illness or are challenged in some way that completely disables you from working and living independently, MHASP won’t be able to help you. But that being the case, it might be nice if they refrain from announcing on their web site that you can call them and expect help if you don’t know where else to turn. I don’t, and it looks like I’m turning to myself.