Quote:
Originally Posted by Daradon
Well, I believe that free psychiatrists are offered as part of the health care system (at least I know they used to be) it's just that there are so few that it takes a long time to get in to see them. Kinda like trying to get an MRI in this city. Also, you gotta go through the whole exercise of getting a referral, etc. But once you have one, you can generally make appointments when you need them.
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Yep.
In December 2012 I noticed an ad on Kijiji where the Ottawa Hospital was doing a study. I volunteered for the study and after the assessment interview, she said I was not a good candidate, but she really, really recommended seeing a psychiatrist. So she sent my file to my family doctor, who immediately put the referal in. But my family doctor said I should see someone right away and recommended a private practice. So I took his recommendation and went through everything my insurance would cover and then some. Eventually it got too expensive and I had to stop going sometime in April. I then got a call in October, ten months after the referal, asking me to come in for an assessment. After 3 to 4 hours of filling out questionnaires and answering questions from the Phd student, I got 30 minutes with the head of the department. He said that my condition was "serious, but not serious enough to be admitted into their program" and he strongly recommended that I go back to private practice. I haven't gone back.. too expensive.
So, yes, if the problem is serious enough, there are programs covered under our provincial health care systems. But it takes a long time. I remember saying to a family member I hope that those that suffer from depression get treated faster than ten months!