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.