INTRODUCTION
This article is designed to give others suffering from depression, as well as
their caregivers, insights into what they can expect from the mental
health care system in Canada. You may find that your local services
differ from mine, for better or for worse. My purpose here is not
to criticize individuals or organizations. Everyone I met was eager
to help me regardless of the resources they had available. Each one
of them kept me safe. I hope by explaining the types of services
available, this guide will give those suffering from depression the
courage to reach out for help.
The
idea of writing this article came to me when I noticed the discrepancy
between cancer treatment and mental health services. My wife recently
had a cancerous lump on her arm which took a number of specialists to
identify. While the process to get a full diagnosis was slow, there
was a logical sequence of tests and appointments. She was shepherded
through the system to a happy conclusion – the tumor was removed
successfully with no further signs of cancer in her body.
My
treatment journey on the other hand, has not been quite so linear. I
suffer from Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Also, my thoughts often
fixate on Suicide Ideation (SI). and I struggle with Social Anxiety.
I found my process of treatment chaotic and in many cases self
directed. Most care had an expiry date, regardless of any progress
being made. And when I finished with one therapist it was up to me to
find someone else. Not until my third hospital stay which included
time in ICU was any consistent and continual care provided.
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