Mental health question

[Not a Tailor 1,370]

I had a hospitalization years ago (5, nearly 6 yrs) for a suicide attempt after a double whammy combination of horrific breakup and the death of a child I used to look after (NOT under my care at the time, but still devastating). I know I'll probably have to get a psych eval and stuff for the medical, when that comes along. I haven't seen a psychiatrist since the hospitalization. I have seen a therapist.

What steps will I need to take to obtain the information I need in Canada? Should I establish myself with a psychiatrist asap or what? How much is this likely to cost? What should I say to my GP to get a referral to a psychiatrist if I do need to establish myself with a psychiatrist? I know this isn't a big deal, because I know I'm no danger to myself or others. I know that everyone involved with my care knows this. I just don't know what I need to do here in Ontario in order to get the paperwork to prove to the US government that I'm a healthy, stable person who's been employed for years with no incidents.

[HisGirl 0]

go to your family doctor in Ontario who knows you well and possibly about what happened to you and have him/her write a letter on office letterhead stating that you are a stable person and not a danger to yourself or anyone else.

you will need to bring that with you to the medical evaluation need for immigration

Edited October 24, 2013 by HisGirl

[Not a Tailor 1,370]

Unfortunately, at the time, I did not have a family doctor.

[NikLR 13,232]

A walk in clinic should be able to refer you to someone for an evaluation. You'd have to inquire with several psychologists or psychiatrists on their prices and methods.

Did you have a GP at the time of the incident?

[Not a Tailor 1,370]

I have a GP now (FINALLY found one very recently). I did not have at the time of the incident. Would it be worth getting the therapist into contact with my GP? I'm just trying to figure out the steps here.

[Stacyyy 23]

If you can get a letter or your record from the hospital you were admitted to, and the therapist you've seen, you should. Even though you've only known your current doctor for a little while you should still get a letter from him/her stating that they don't believe you to have a mental health problem. Character reference letters are a good idea as well. From your employer, family, friends, etc.

[Not a Tailor 1,370]

Awesome. That's easy enough. I should be able to get a letter or record from the hospital, I would think. I should be able to get a letter from the therapist no problem. Character references are also easy. My boss thinks I'm awesome. I don't have family, unfortunately, other than a very elderly grandmother. A letter from the doctor should, again, be easy enough. I was afraid I needed to show record of having seen a psychiatrist regularly or something and been declared in awesome health, you know? It was simply a matter of being under exceedingly extraordinary stress at the time and, having no family, not having a support network to fall back on in any way.

[Stacyyy 23]

I totally understand. I've been going through the same process and it has been so much work. I pray that it will be worth it!

Better safe than sorry, right?

[Not a Tailor 1,370]

Seriously. I would much rather have too much information and get it together early than be scrambling at the last minute and find out that it's going to take six months to get a piece of information I need or something! I mean, it's a total non-issue. I'm pretty sure that anyone looking at it will go "Yeah, and? So what" and move on, but I would much rather have too much information than too little. Heck, I've even been seeing the therapist lately because it seems to me that making sure you have all your ducks in a row before you move to a new country and make sure that you're making really good choices is a good plan. You know?