Socialized Medicine for the Win!

I mentioned a couple of posts ago that I have been struggling with depression. So I finally decided that yes, it IS that big a deal, and yes, I should do something about it.

So I found a counsellor online and went to her yesterday. She was pretty good, and I was planning to continue going to her, although it would have created a financial burden ($140 per session! And she wanted me to come once a week! That's $560 a month!). I thought it was something I really needed and that I didn't really have any alternatives.

However, I went to the doctor today to see about going (back) on antidepressants. He was great--he was really helpful and didn't brush me off like I'd feared. He did prescribe them, and he's also going to arrange for me to see a psychiatrist. They, unlike psychologists and counsellors, are covered by our provincial health plan. Which means there will be no money out-of-pocket for me! I am so relieved.

The only thing that sucks is that I will have to contact the counsellor and tell her that I won't be coming back after all. The one visit I did have will mostly be covered by my husband's benefits (up to $300 per year with a deductible of $25), so that will be okay.

I'm so happy to finally be getting treatment! For free! (To me...I know it's not "really" free). I think I've been depressed on-and-off (I suspect always just under the surface) for a very long time...probably since I was a teenager.