[nanoxide]

The issue is similar in Germany, where the vast majority has mandatory insurance: Too few therapists for too many people. Even in large cities you might wait months, if they even have waiting lists. It's much easier if you pay by yourself.

[taejo]

Afaik there are many therapists who are qualified and want to take public insurance (reimbursement rates are actually pretty good compared to those for MDs) but in the '90s there was a formula developed for how many therapists are needed per capita, and only that many therapists get licenses to take public insurance. Since the stigma around mental health was much higher then, demand now completely outstrips supply, and the competition for the licenses of retiring therapists is fierce.

[ransom1538]

Canada: Sure you will never see a doctor, but, when you do it is free!

[dghlsakjg]

Canada’s healthcare is managed at the provincial level. So you’re comment is pretty reductive and unrepresentative of many places.

This is my experience in BC as an American immigrant. It doesn’t apply to Toronto or Ontario.

Counselors are very easy to find. I had my pick and the wait was about a week. The province didn’t cover it in my case but my extended benefits did. Most of the ones I talked to offer pay scales based on extended insurance coverage, and many will provide pro bono care. Some counselors are covered by the province if you get a referral from a doctor.

The longest I’ve personally waited to see a general doctor is 6 hours at an ER on a weekend night, typically the wait is about an hour if you go to a clinic in the morning without an appointment.

For specialists, appointments are done on a triage system with a referral. If your case is urgent, or worsening you typically get seen asap. I’ve seen MRIs get done same day, or take as long as six months for non-urgent needs.

What I’ve never seen is someone wait a day with a broken arm to make sure they actually need to see a doctor because they can’t afford it. That’s something I saw twice in college in the states.

I’ve also seen people get referred to a specialist and never get seen because their insurance wouldn’t cover it.

Also seen people declare bankruptcy over medical debts in the states despite having insurance.

Canada’s healthcare system could be improved, but if you have ever dealt with low end insurance or uninsured healthcare in the states, you would understand how much better the system is here.

[HeatrayEnjoyer]

Better than never seeing one at all because you can't afford it.

[suzumer]

Do you live in Canada?

[Suppafly]

>Do you live in Canada?

I'm guessing they don't. As a US person we hear a lot of, presumably insurance company sponsored, anti-Canadian-healthcare propaganda and then dumb people repeat it online.

[missedthecue]

In the UK the NHS waiting list can up to a year.

[jononor]

Same in Norway, which has a directly subsidized phealthcare system for all.