K-1, suicide attempt, ESTA

[tigertoes 2]

So I've been stressing about this one for a while. I have depression and anxiety. Five years ago, I attempted suicide (didn't require treatment but was taken to the hospital by my housemate because he's a good guy) but have no other history of self-harm. I was discharged to my mother's care the next morning because I hadn't hurt myself. The psychiatrist who discharged me said it was a reaction to a new medication that I'd just started taking, which had affected my behaviour as well. I might have taken that too literally. When I applied for an ESTA (and later a B-2 visa) to visit my now-fiance, I said that I didn't have a mental disorder which posed a danger to myself or others.

For my K-1 visa application, I'm confident that I could get a statement from my psychiatrist saying that I don't pose a danger to myself or others. My real concern is that a consular officer would decide that, by claiming that my mental disorder doesn't pose a threat of harm, I've lied on a travel application. Does anyone have any advice? Or maybe a recommendation for a lawyer I can speak to in Australia?

Edited July 7, 2015 by katjam

[Penguin_ie 5,984]

Considering this was 5 years ago, it was a ocne-off and you have had no hospitalisations or other major issues after that, I think you will be fine.

[Unidentified 2,930]

I don't even think technically you ever had a mental problem, you had a really weird reaction to a drug. My friend never got to the stage where she tried to hurt herself but I know that she was prescribed some drug for her fibromyalgia that made her feel like she had to hurt herself. I doubt they would classify it as a mental problem when it's just a weird side effect of a drug. I think they would feel the same way and I'd say you never lied about it.

[trublubu2 62]

hi @katjam,

like everyone else said, you should be fine.

but consider this: how about getting the psychiatrist that told you it was a drug reaction to write that up on official paperwork, so when you go to get your medicals done you'll have that as solid proof to give to the panel physicians/staff surgeons if they should somehow ask? this should only be for peace of mind purposes as you've been fine ever since.

best of luck with everything.

[Limey 550]

"When I applied for an ESTA (and later a B-2 visa) to visit my now-fiance, I said that I didn't have a mental disorder which posed a danger to myself or others."

From what you've posted here I'd say you were telling the truth. You didn't have a mental disorder (you had an incident in the past caused by drugs not a mental disorder) and you were not having treatment etc for any ongoing mental disorder.

[tigertoes 2]

Thank you all for your answers! I have been treated continuously since then for the mental disorder (with psychotherapy and other drugs). I talked to the psychiatrist who's treated me since 2010 about it, because I conveniently had an appointment, and he thinks it's irrelevant because I never caused myself any actual harm. He's written me a letter and highlighted the lack of harm. Thanks again!