Job Discussion Forums

[clarabelle]

Hi,
I am preparing to begin TEFL teaching abroad, most likely in Hong Kong or S. Korea at first.
I have a treated mental health condition. While I know that the jobs I am looking at come with health insurance, and I do not intend to discuss my mental health condition with potential employers, how easy will it be for me to get adequate access to the medication(s) I will need while I am abroad?

[mandalayroad]

Don't know if it's changed, but in Taiwan you could get any medicine without a prescription and it's cheap. I remember seeing birth control pills for sale in 7-11. I imagine it's the same in China. Doctors in Japan love to prescribe lots of pills because that's how they make money so probably no problems in Japan if you ask for them from any doctor.

[renzobenzo1]

I think the OP wants actual legitimate medication referred from a professional and not dodgy under the table stuff

[mandalayroad]

In Taiwan, that is legitimate medicine from legal pharmacies. Don't know if it's still this way, but a few years ago one could even get penicillin over the counter in a Taiwanese pharmacy. In Japan, your professional doctor in a clinic will sell you just about any drug you want since that's how he makes a profit. The US standard of getting a prescription first for almost anything no matter how innocuous and then going to the pharmacy to have it filled is not the way it's done in most of the world.

[Anda]

In China there is no problem outside the big cities much. You are better off giving us here on Dave's an idea of the meds you need.

[Tsuris]

Without knowing anything about which meds you are currently taking, you shouldn't have a problem finding access to most major classifications of psychotropic medications in either Hong Kong or South Korea. The worst case scenario is that you'll have to use a different medication within the same classification (particularly true of relatively new "brand name" medications).

If the meds you are taking have been on the market for at least 10 years and are in wide use, you shouldn't have any difficulty.

[clarabelle]

Thank you, that was a great help. Nothing too exotic od too new. I am very relieved by the answers that were given. (Primarily Lithium)

[jwbhomer]

OP, please do not take offence -- none is meant -- but if you are being treated for a mental health issue, you might want to reconsider teaching in Asia. The stress of dealing with the very different cultures, approaches to education, lifestyles and what have you is enough to make just about anyone "crazy".

Seriously, and not meaning to be offensive or patronising... I think many if not most of Dave's members would agree that Asia is the place of origin of the old saying: YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE CRAZY TO WORK HERE, BUT IT HELPS!

[clarabelle]

Thank you for your concern, I am following my MDs advice on this. If the employer is paying for your insurance, are they going to know all about whatever care you receive under your insurance? Is this info protected as it is here?

Thanks to everyone. Sounds like there is some experience.

[jwbhomer]

I am told that there is no word in the Chinese language for "privacy". I have no experience of Korea, but the ideas of privacy and confidentiality seem virtually unknown in China.

[Tsuris]