Dealing with and Affording a Mental Illness Diagnosis

My son is twenty years old and suffers from depression. For the longest time he has been in a very dark place, not willing to accept that he could possibly be suffering from a mental illness. What are his options for treatment? Well for starters, he works in a local fast food chain, earning minimum wages, and doesn’t have health insurance coverage to be able to seek the services of a psychiatrist of his choosing. He doesn’t have a family doctor so he either has to go a hospital emergency room or visit the local walk-in clinic in order to get a referral slip to see a psychiatrist, which could take months due to the long wait lists. No matter what, it will be a long time before he sees a doctor and receives treatment.

Statistics Canada released a study in September, 2014 that revealed the following data with regard to young people with mental illnesses.

• Since 2002 there has been an increase of about 10% of Canadians aged 15 and older who are experiencing a mental health issue.
• The total number of 12 to 19 year olds in Canada who are at risk for developing depression is a staggering 3.2 million.

The study also revealed how inaccessible it is in Canada to get psychiatric and/or psychological treatment. Only 1 out of 5 children needing mental health services receives them. 

A diagnosis entails both psychiatric and psychological assessments. Psychiatric services are covered under the public health insurance program, but psychological services are not, unless the doctor works from a hospital. That is, services from a psychologist practicing in a private office, outside the hospital, are not covered by the public health insurance program; therefore, patients must pay out-of-pocket.  However; with a private health insurance plan, a patient can afford counselling sessions as well as any prescribed medications.

When I think of the troubling issues my son is facing, I also think about the many others who, like him, will not have easy access to treatment. While Canada’s health care system has many advantages, there are areas where it falls short, and too many young people pay the price. 

A good healthinsurance plan can go a long way in allowing you treatment options and helping with the costs of prescribed medications should you need them.

Don’t Take Chances with your Mental Health

Mental illness has been referred to as the invisible disease as it is still surrounded by social stigma among Canadians.

Your mental health is as important as your physical health. One in five Canadians (6.7 million) suffer from a mental health issue, a fact that costs the economy over $50 billion a year. In most cases, a mental health condition will reveal itself before the age of 24, affecting individuals in their prime working years.

About 3,500 Canadians fall under suicide-related deaths; it’s the second leading cause of death for young Canadians. Canada is the only G7 country without a national mental health strategy. Last year, Parliament passed Bill C-300 which imposes the task on Ottawa to come up with a plan to combat suicide. Partners for Mental Health would like to see the government invest $100-million over the next four years towards educating teens and crisis intervention.

Because there is an element of shame attached to mental illness, many victims go undiagnosed and suffer silently, and others self-medicate with drugs or alcohol. One of the biggest problems is that, unless you have a private health insurance plan, you can remain on a waiting list upwards to a year before receiving counselling after a diagnosis.

Going through the public health care system can be a trying ordeal. A private health insurance plan can not only help reduce costs when continual medication is necessary, which is often the case with mental illness, but it can also diminish the waiting time for counselling sessions. It can ensure you seeing a doctor of your choice and getting quality treatment when you need it. 

When your mental health is at stake, you want to get diagnosed promptly; if prescription medication is needed, you want to begin treatment in conjunction with therapy as soon as possible.

Health Insurance Plans in Canada