Free psychiatric services in Toronto?

Question

Are there any places in Toronto that offer free psychiatric services or at the very least, at reduced fees?

I am no longer a student and I dont have any form of insurance and I am not working right now either and I cant ask my parents to pay for it because they cant know about it.

So are there are any such places in Toronto (and area)?

Thanks

Answer 1

It sounds to me like you don't have an OHIP card. Please read below:

from: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/publ...

"Am I eligible for Ontario health insurance?

You must have Ontario health insurance to use Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care funded health care services. You are eligible for the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) if  :

    * You are included under one of the following categories :

          o you are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or landed immigrant, convention refugee, or are registered as an Indian under the Indian Act

          o you have submitted an Application for Permanent Residence or an Application for Landing and have been confirmed by Citizenship and Immigration Canada as having satisfied the medical requirements for landing

          o you are a foreign worker who holds a valid work permit or employment authorization which names a Canadian employer situated in Ontario and your prospective occupation, and is valid for at least six months

          o you are a foreign clergy member who will be providing services to a religious congregation in Ontario for at least six months

          o you hold a Temporary Resident Permit or Minister's Permit with case type 80 (for adoption only), 86, 87, 88 or 89

          o you are the spouse, same s*x partner, or dependent child (under 19 years of age) of a foreign clergy member or eligible foreign worker who is to be employed in Ontario for a period of at least three consecutive years

          o you hold a work permit or employment authorization under the Live-In Caregivers in Canada Program or the Foreign Domestic Movement

          o you have been issued a work permit or employment authorization under the Caribbean Commonwealth and Mexican Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program administered by the federal department of Citizenship and Immigration

    * and you make your permanent and principal home in Ontario

    * and you are in Ontario for at least 153 days of the first 183 days immediately following the date you establish residency in Ontario (you cannot be absent for more than 30 days during the first 6 months of residency)

    * and you are in Ontario for at least 153 days in any 12-month period

Tourists, transients or visitors are not eligible for OHIP coverage.

Your eligibility for Ontario health coverage is not determined by whether you have a job or are unemployed, or where you pay your income tax. It is based solely on your meeting one of the above citizenship or immigration categories and on you making your permanent and principal home in Ontario.

Everyone, including babies and children, must have their own health cards. Always carry your health card with you. You should be ready to show it every time you need medical services.

Ministry staff can help you determine whether or not you are eligible for Ontario health coverage.

For more details about OHIP eligibility :

    * refer to Regulation 552 of Ontario's Health Insurance Act (can be purchased from Publications Ontario or viewed on www.e-laws.gov.on.ca)

    * or visit your local OHIP office"

So, that means that if you don't have OHIP coverage, then you will have to pay for any medical services yourself. If you don't have supplemental health care insurance, it will cost you quite a bit of money for psychiatric services, assuming you can live with the long waiting period to get in to see one.

Answer 2

You culd try going to the hospital.  Many hospitals have a counseling service.  They might refer you to another organization, but it's a start.

You will need OHIP to be eligible.