Manitoba Psychiatric Association
FAQs
In Manitoba, an assessment by a psychiatrist is only available after a referral is made from another doctor. You should speak to your family doctor about your mental health concern, and they may refer you to psychiatry or discuss other resources and treatments. If you do not have a family doctor the following internet resource may be useful https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/familydoctorfinder/ . If you are having a mental health crisis you should attend your closest emergency room or other emergency medical resource. In Winnipeg the Crisis Response Centre is located at 817 Bannatyne Avenue and is open 24 hours.
To be an active member of the MPA you should be licensed to practice psychiatry in Manitoba, or a member of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Members in Training are those enrolled in a post-graduate training program in psychiatry (ie a residency program). As well, every qualified member of regulated Health Professions as defined by The Health Professions Act of Manitoba, and a registered trainee in those Health Professions, may apply to become an Affiliate member. To join, follow the membership link above.
Conferences and educational events held by the MPA are sometimes open to the public, and sometimes restricted to health-care professionals, or members of the MPA. For any particular event this information will be posted on the event description on this website.
Both psychiatrists and clinical psychologists are doctors working in mental health. Psychologists have advanced degrees (PhD and PsyD) and use many different assessments and treatments including psychotherapy. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who first complete medical school before completing a specialized training program, typically of 5 years duration, to become psychiatrists. Psychiatrists also apply many different assessments and treatments, and they are able to prescribe medications when those are the preferred option, in addition to treating patients with psychotherapy and other treatments.
For urgent and emergency situations you can attend a hospital’s emergency room. In Winnipeg the Crisis Response Centre (817 Bannatyne Avenue) is open 24 hours.
The MPA does not provide medical advice or take part in communication about individual health issues. For questions of this nature please speak to your own health-care provider. If you do not have a family physician the following link provides useful information for obtaining one https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/familydoctorfinder/.