Comment by jjmarr

CAMH and other hospitals provide free outpatient mental health services from psychiatrists to the underemployed/poor.

As you acknowledge, if you end up so badly that you are committed, you can get a referral. They might be underfunded and understaffed but it exists.

"Might be a chance to talk to a psychiatrist" is inaccurate. You will see a psychiatrist quickly if you go to a hospital in Toronto. Can't say the same about rural areas.

The USA is much worse and we shouldn't try to generalize from their experiences. America has hundreds of free outpatient mental health clinics and their goal is to "suicide-bait" you into saying the wrong thing. Then they involuntarily commit you and bill Medicaid/insurance until it runs out.

Those are the hospitals you will never see a psychiatrist in, because they focus on profit and churn.