Advocating for Free Mental Health Services: A Case for Occupational Therapy Coverage

At la Clinique de santé inclusive Vivago (Clinique Vivago), we are dedicated to breaking down barriers to mental health care, ensuring that individuals, including young adults, receive the support they need. This is why we created the Vivago Mental Health Foundation. Thanks to our advocacy efforts, McGill University students now have access to occupational therapy services at Clinique Vivago. This marks a significant step forward in ensuring international students receive the mental health support they need.

Success Story: Occupational Therapy is Now Covered for McGill Students

Recently, we encountered an international student at McGill in a crisis situation. The student was struggling with severe anxiety, low mood, and intrusive thoughts, which significantly impacted their ability to engage in daily activities, including academics, relationships, and self-care. The student’s mental health was deteriorating to the point where academic failure and disengagement became real concerns. A risk assessment conducted during initial sessions determined that while the student’s suicidal intent was low to moderate, their ongoing distress required immediate and intensive intervention.

Recognizing the severity of the situation, an occupational therapist at our clinic initiated urgent care, providing two sessions per week along with phone and email check-ins. The student showed signs of improvement with OT services; however, we soon discovered that international students' insurance, Blue Cross Medavie, does not cover occupational therapy. This left the student in a vulnerable position, at risk of losing access to critical support due to financial constraints.

Our Advocacy Efforts

Understanding the impact that a lack of coverage could have on students in crisis, we took immediate action:

• Providing Free Sessions: Through our Viv-Action Jeunesse donation program, we covered up to five occupational therapy sessions for students in urgent need. These donations, along with government funding, allowed us to ensure that students did not have to go without essential care.

• Writing Advocacy Letters: We reached out to McGill’s International Student Services (ISS) to highlight the urgent necessity of OT services for students struggling with mental health issues. We emphasized how OT is a regulated, evidence-based profession that plays a crucial role in mental health support.

• Engaging with Insurance Providers: As we have direct billing with Blue Cross Medavie, we attempted to work with them to obtain coverage for this student. Unfortunately, they directed us to McGill, leading us to push for further discussions on how to incorporate OT into covered mental health services for international students.

• Raising Awareness: As a result of our efforts, McGill students can now access occupational therapy services at Clinique Vivago. We encourage students to take advantage of these essential services for their mental well-being.

  
  

A Call for Systemic Change

We call on policymakers, insurance providers, and educational institutions to continue working together in ensuring that all students have access to vital mental health services like occupational therapy.

If you are a McGill student in need of mental health support, we encourage you to visit the Vivago Mental Health Clinic and take advantage of the occupational therapy services now available to you.

Mental health care should be accessible to all students, regardless of their

insurance coverage or financial situation. By working together, we can create a system that prioritizes the well-being of young adults and ensures they have the support they need to thrive.

If you believe in our mission and want to support our advocacy efforts, consider donating to The Vivago Mental Health Foundation or reaching out to your local representatives to emphasize the importance of accessible mental health care for students.

Let’s make mental health care a right, not a privilege.