Canada’s Mental Health Treatment Options

Canada mental health treatmentEveryone knows that Canada has one of the best run socialized healthcare systems in the world, and often times, the quality of mental health treatment in Canada is overlooked as the world focuses on the country’s medical provisions. This is a shame because the mental health treatment services in Canada rank among the best in the world. Most provinces in Canada do not treat mental health problems under the socialized medical system, meaning it is a largely privatized sector, although there are some mental health services that are covered by provincial care. For Australians, or people from other regions of the world, these services can be valuable reasons to engage in medical tourism. Some of the mental health specialties in Canada are as follows:

  • Counseling. Throughout the United States and Canada, counseling services are very similar in nature. They operate under many of the same standards and protocols. Counseling services in Canada are highly respected and sought after. Canadian counselors must meet minimum certification standards in order to practice counseling. Typically this position requires a master’s degree in psychology, as well as a certain amount of time put into practicum and training.
  • Rehabilitation. Like counseling, rehabilitation in Canada is largely privatized. Executive, luxury and high standard rehabilitation programs are not funded by the government. For low income residents or people who wish to be economical, there are government run rehabs that are covered by health insurance, or there are sometimes loan options for a variety of rehabs. Rehabilitation is necessary for people who are struggling to end their addiction or substance abuse.
  • Behavioral centers. Similar to rehabs, behavioral centers are a place where people who are struggling with mental illness and disorder go to recover. In Canada, some are government funded while others are private. Canada has similar mental health statistics to the United States. There are a large variety of mental disorders and problems present in Canada, but the behavioral centers and mental health services of Canada are some of the best in the world.

Medical Tourism from Australia to Canada

canada australia medical tourismThere are many reasons someone may want to travel to Canada from Australia for medical purposes. Australia and Canada have similar healthcare systems, and though Australia’s healthcare system is credible and socialized, the healthcare system of Canada is considered superior.

Australia and Canada are both associated with the monarchy, which means it is very easy to travel, live and work between the two countries. The travel time is lengthy between the two countries (approximately nineteen hours across the Atlantic Ocean) but the benefits of medical tourism between the two countries can be worth it. Medical tourism from Australia to Canada is becoming a more prominent travel venture every year.

The socialized healthcare system of Canada is among the best in the world. Medical coverage is governed at the federal level with every province setting a unique and minimal basic premium for its residents. All general practice and surgical expenses are covered, and a number of other medical services are included in the premiums. Mental healthcare and addiction treatment in Canada are a few other highly regarded benefits of the Canadian healthcare system. Canadian insurance for Private policies are also available for purchase to cover dental and vision expenditures, as well as a range of other specialized medical services.

Medicare is the publicly funded healthcare system of Australia. It is similar to Canada in that it makes use of both public and private insurance policies, and it is managed at both the federal and the state level. However, breakdowns between the federal and state levels have generated criticisms of the healthcare system, calling it inefficient and slow.

Specialized traveler insurance policies can be purchased for those who are interested in traveling from Australia to Canada for medical reasons. They can be for any level of coverage according to the premium paid. It is also possible for Australian citizens to obtain a Canadian work or travel visa to Canada, which can include the right to use the healthcare system of the province the person is traveling through.