Do life insurance companies ever require full payment up front?
I am an alcoholic with 9 years of recovery and in therapy for moderate anxiety/depression and making excellent progress.
They can require full payment upfront. They aren't required to offer you "monthly payments". The smaller the premium, the more likely that they'll want payment in full upfront.
But they have nothing to lose by letting you pay monthly.
If you don't make a payment, the life insurance policy cancels.
That means, you probably want to set this up to be paid automatically from your checking account, so if, for example, you have a bad case of the flu and don't pay the bill on time, the life insurance policy doesn't get cancelled.
And yes, since you're currently being treated for mental illness, you'll be lucky to get a standard rate - most likely, you'll be 'rated' or declined, with a rider for mental health or alcohol related death.
However, there is guaranteed acceptance life insurance that may offer up to $30,000 of simplified life insurance without any physical exam needed.