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Can a doctor refuse mental health treatment if I refuse a urine analysis?

Located in Canada.

I went to outpatients to seek mental health assistance. I have struggled with anxiety, depression, suicide ideation, and self harm for roughly 11 years. In this time, I have sought help from councillors, mental health workers, and my GP. Each time, I feel I’ve been dismissed, maybe because I was not clearly presenting the severity of my symptoms. This time, I wanted to make it abundantly clear that I am struggling and I don’t know how much longer I can go on. I told the attending doctor about my history, my current suicide ideation and plans. The doctor was sympathetic, but said I need to submit to a urine analysis to detect for alcohol, nicotine, and marijuana before I can see a psychiatrist. During the exam, I reported no to using these substances, and alcohol, nicotine, and marijuana are all legal in my country. My other alternative, if I refuse, would be to self-refer to mental health which typically takes months. I’m just wondering if an outpatient/emergency doctor can really refuse treatment to me if I refuse a urine analysis.
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973741 tn?1342342773
Hi Sad4444.  I wanted to check and see how you are doing?  How are things going?  Making any progress?  I was thinking of you.  hugs
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Avatar universal
Answered this on your other post.  Most of us here are not from Canada and so don't know Canadian law so we don't know if your doctor is in compliance with it or not, but he's definitely not in compliance with best practices for someone saying she's in as much difficulty as you are.  
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15695260 tn?1549593113
Hello and welcome to MedHelp.  We have sent an email and message to your inbox here on the site with some resources for suicide in Canada.  Please know we care.  
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973741 tn?1342342773
Hi there, sweetie.  I'm so sorry you are feeling this way.  Have you ever talked to anyone at a help line? That can be helpful.  Virtual therapy?  So, question, not to upset you, if those substances, alcohol, nicotine and marijauna are legal, why not submit to the urine test?   Listen, a lot of mental health situations go hand in hand with alcoholism and drug use, doctors are well aware of that and it's not to judge you.  It's to fully help you!  This is the goal, honey.  

I'm in the US and if someone presents with suicide ideation with a plan, they most definitely will get treatment.  Whether they require a urine or blood test, I don't know.  But they may.  But you should receive treatment regardless.  Here's a document from the ministry of health https://www.health.gov.bc.ca/library/publications/year/2007/MHA_WorkingWithSuicidalClient.pdf  It's basically guidelines for dealing with a patient that is talking about suicide.   My true guess is that they want you to have the urine test to treat you fully.  

I'd see your GP again or call them and express the severity of how you are feeling.  Force the issue.   And I would be surprised if you do not get treatment.  Also, please do call an suicide hotline or use an online communication.  Call your local emergency department if you really are considering harming yourself.  You are clearly an articulate, smart person that wants to survive this.  We want you to as well.  Talk to me ANY TIME.  hugs
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