Medical Exam + Mental Health

[CAtoUSta 0]

Hello all, I'm hoping this is the right category, my apologies if it isn't. 

I have some questions for others here regarding the medical test process. 

 

I have intentions to immigrate to the US with my partner (have not filed paperwork yet) and I have been reading into the medical history aspect and I have a few concerns.

 

The major issues are I have a history of suicide attempts (3 recorded on the paperwork I have managed to find from my doctor) however the last one was roughly 2 years ago and I have since completed a therapy program (which I have a certificate of completion for) with no further hospitalizations or anything. I also have on record a history of anxiety, depression and BPD. 

 

I am concerned though as my doctor did recently file paperwork to try to get me on Ontario's disability program to cover my medications. I am worried this alone is going to make me inadmissible, however, if my partner is signing paperwork to claim he is responsible for me financially as a sponsor, would that have any factor?

 

One other factor I am concerned about is I know I do have it on record that I have consumed cannibis products, however on the paperwork I do have it is indicative of it being once it had become legal in my country (Canada) and my last use was around the same time of 2 years ago. I know a 1 year ban is enacted if admitting past use + failing a drug test, but would past use with no further use still bar me?

 

Another question, does anyone know what I even have to submit as far as paperwork goes for my medical history or is it all assessed at the appointment with a written letter from my doctor? I haven't really been able to find a clear answer on what the medical history aspect entails or if it's all assessed on the spot.

 

Any advice would be really appreciated here. I'm honestly pretty scared I'm not going to be able to get through. Is this even something I should worry about right now? My medical exam likely wouldn't be for quite a while as we haven't started the immigration process yet.

 

Thanks.

[Crazy Cat 41,906]

***I am moving this topic to the Canada regional discussion area where it will, hopefully, attract members more familiar with the medical exam procedure in Montreal.  I can move it elsewhere if you want*****

Edited September 22, 2020 by Lucky Cat

[CAtoUSta 0]

2 minutes ago, Lucky Cat said:

***I am moving this topic tot the Canada regional discussion area where it will, hopefully, attract members more familiar with the medical exam procedure in Montreal.  I can move it elsewhere if* you want*****

Thank you, I appreciate it! 

[DGF 730]

7 hours ago, CAtoUSta said:

Hello all, I'm hoping this is the right category, my apologies if it isn't. 

I have some questions for others here regarding the medical test process. 

 

I have intentions to immigrate to the US with my partner (have not filed paperwork yet) and I have been reading into the medical history aspect and I have a few concerns.

 

The major issues are I have a history of suicide attempts (3 recorded on the paperwork I have managed to find from my doctor) however the last one was roughly 2 years ago and I have since completed a therapy program (which I have a certificate of completion for) with no further hospitalizations or anything. I also have on record a history of anxiety, depression and BPD. 

 

I am concerned though as my doctor did recently file paperwork to try to get me on Ontario's disability program to cover my medications. I am worried this alone is going to make me inadmissible, however, if my partner is signing paperwork to claim he is responsible for me financially as a sponsor, would that have any factor?

 

One other factor I am concerned about is I know I do have it on record that I have consumed cannibis products, however on the paperwork I do have it is indicative of it being once it had become legal in my country (Canada) and my last use was around the same time of 2 years ago. I know a 1 year ban is enacted if admitting past use + failing a drug test, but would past use with no further use still bar me?

 

Another question, does anyone know what I even have to submit as far as paperwork goes for my medical history or is it all assessed at the appointment with a written letter from my doctor? I haven't really been able to find a clear answer on what the medical history aspect entails or if it's all assessed on the spot.

 

Any advice would be really appreciated here. I'm honestly pretty scared I'm not going to be able to get through. Is this even something I should worry about right now? My medical exam likely wouldn't be for quite a while as we haven't started the immigration process yet.

 

Thanks.

I don't have experience with either situation, but from what I've read you should bring as much documentation as possible regarding your mental health history, what treatments you've received, and a note from your doctor. For the drug use, Dr. Zatzman (one of the doctors in Toronto, which your profile says you are in) says on his website that the US requires proof that you've been drug free for 12 months (via drug tests) or you will need to fill out a waiver with the consulate. That is admittedly noted as being for people that were turned away by US border services, but I would assume the requirements would be similar if not the same. If no one is able to answer this question on the forum you should absolutely call ahead to the physician you are most likely to see so you can gather any requirements they might have while you are waiting for the rest of your paperwork to process. And lastly for the disability program, I think you should be fine with your partner being your sponsor, but if their income is even remotely close to the minimum requirement you should plan to have a joint sponsor available as a backup in case you are asked (it is not unheard of for a joint sponsor to be requested even though the primary sponsor makes enough when going by the poverty guidelines). 

[CAtoUSta 0]

1 hour ago, DGF said:

I don't have experience with either situation, but from what I've read you should bring as much documentation as possible regarding your mental health history, what treatments you've received, and a note from your doctor. For the drug use, Dr. Zatzman (one of the doctors in Toronto, which your profile says you are in) says on his website that the US requires proof that you've been drug free for 12 months (via drug tests) or you will need to fill out a waiver with the consulate. That is admittedly noted as being for people that were turned away by US border services, but I would assume the requirements would be similar if not the same. If no one is able to answer this question on the forum you should absolutely call ahead to the physician you are most likely to see so you can gather any requirements they might have while you are waiting for the rest of your paperwork to process. And lastly for the disability program, I think you should be fine with your partner being your sponsor, but if their income is even remotely close to the minimum requirement you should plan to have a joint sponsor available as a backup in case you are asked (it is not unheard of for a joint sponsor to be requested even though the primary sponsor makes enough when going by the poverty guidelines). 

Thank you so much for your response, this actually does give me a bit of hope. 

 

I absolutely do intend on making sure I bring all documentation regarding my therapy progress when the time comes. I haven't actually started the process for immigration but I've wanted to make sure I'm as absolutely prepared as possible so I do this right with as minimal issue as possible.

 

That also does make me wonder, if I am following up with my family physician in the meantime and have her regularly drug test me, could that potentially help that situation? I am not a recreational user at all, the documentation I have on record was because I mentioned trying it when it became legal in Canada. 

 

And I hope so. He does make well over the minimum to sponsor me so that wasn't an issue there, I think he's about 3x what the minimum was so I hope that helps.