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Immigration and Doctors

Splatt

Ex-Bluelighter
Joined
Sep 25, 2001
Messages
9,112
I have a friend who is on a student Visa who is having diofficulties with depression. Although I believe it is just an attention thing.. she likes cutting her wrist (not suicide), just to release emotional pain. I want her to seek help or even get on medication. Because she gets lonely and thinks too much when she has free time.

She is scared to go though because she is afraid her overseas health coverage or the doctor will inform Immigration and send her back home to Japan. I told her this is not the case but can someone re-assure me so I can tell me.
 
I would have thought that seeing any kind of health professional would place her under doctor-patient privilege (sp?)....I know we live in a slightly Draconian state these days in regards to immigration, but I'd imagine that even applies to students.

If she is a student then maybe she should see the people who run the international student section of her uni/college, because they will know the best way for her to seek medical assistance (I'm assuming...that kind of is their job).
 
Even if immigation found out they can't send a student home because of Self Harm. They can send home a student for not passing exams or not turning up to Uni or getting into trouble with the police.

With Self Harm, it is usally done in places where it can be hidden like further up arms (with blades) and an explaination (excuse) can be given. My opinion is it's a call for help. The girl maybe needs some extra help with studies? A good friend?;) Or if she is very bright she needs a hobby to take her mind of her workload.

I know five or six international students through my studies and work and two really well. One off them "Rahad" family had to come up with 30 000$ aus (He is from Bangladesh) so imagine the exchange rate. He worked solid for two years as an aged care while doing his masters in manufactoring engineering and now he dosn't want to go back home and can't pull up the courage to ring home and say "well I'm actualy a citizen now and i'm not coming home, I quite like being a aged carer and don't really wanna be an engineer, Sorry" Bit of track but very stressful situation.

Anyway, the Dr. will charge the price off the consult to the insurance and the insurance company will pay the Dr and immagration won't even know (care) what has happend.
 
Would going in with her be a good idea at all, pretending to be a couple?
 
Depends how good friends you are?? Ask her yourself why she's harming herself, thats all she might need, she could just be worried about something that has been lost in translation and she is shit scared about it.

Pretending to be a couple is not a good idea, you'd be better off going in as a good/concerned friend, but it's up too her. Would you go to your usual Dr?
 
This isn't really drug-related, I'm happy to leave this here for a few more days to see what responses you get and then perhaps move it over to Aus Social or Second Opinion? Let me know. :)
 
Well I didn't want to steer it off the topic of Immigration being notified about seeing a doctor, which in the end will end up in her getting an anti depressant.

But she said when she re dfoes her Visa there is a bit saying what medeications is she on. She is paranoid thinking they might send her back to Japan thinking she is "crazy"

She is a smart girl and yeah has problems, but the cutting thing is attention for lame and small things sometimes.. But there a deeper issues.. Anyway, this isn't her psyche file... Its just a post about if she should be concerned if they will continue her student Visa if she is on an anti depressant. I won't go in as a couple just a concerned friend.
 
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In my opinion, as I deal with migrants, is to speak to a third party immigration specialist/lawyer to further your inquest.

I, assume, she is here in Australia on a student visa? In which case a "annon" call to the old named DIMA would assist in sorting this out.
 
I work in the public health system and no doctor would report her to immigration, this would violate patient confidentiality. It sounds like she should see someone, but she'll probably need to use her overseas health cover to pay for this. Just make sure she'll be covered if she sees someone privately or in the public system. A GP could start her on antidepressants if this is her problem, or refer her to a psychologist/psychiatrist as necessary.
 
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