It is important to reinforce with people who are depressed that consulting a specialist in mental health is no different then going to a lawyer for a will, to a banker to manage one's money, or to physician to have ones general health evaluated. Financial barriers also exist. People with MS often already have financial burdens that go beyond the norm. The cost of mental health services can be an added burden that looks unmanageable. To add to this, insurance companies often treat Mental Health services differently then other medical problems.
Some insurances cover only half or even less of the normal fee for evaluation or treatment.
Many companies limit the number of sessions or have an annual ceiling for the amount that will be reimbursed. Even worse, some people with MS don't have insurance coverage and must pay for medications or treatment sessions out of their family budget. To overcome these barriers, many psychologists help by reducing fees for people who have financial hardship, or can refer to services that are subsidized in various ways. Finding help may take longer if significant financial barriers exist, but help should still be available. Another barrier can be the difficulty in finding a mental health professional who is sufficiently knowledgeable about MS to inspire confidence and trust.