OK, but don't expect Canada to be some magic land of rainbows and lolipops. You will be on your own with your medical issues, and once you have a job you'll realise that your day to day life isn't that much different except now you don't know anyone and you'll be expected to make all the effort to fix that.

You can say that you'll make the effort, but will you really? Its common for clinically depressed people to have problems with this kind of thing. You should be honest with yourself about this.

Just have enough money to get back home if you relapse. Citaprolam will cost over $120 a month if not covered by your insurance.

We've been fortunate with mental health care because both our township and GP fund a centre and counselling otherwise you are on your own.

He'll be on his own regardless as he will be on an IEC visa with a preexisting condition.

Amazing how much drugs can vary by province. Average cost here in BC is between 0.38 and 0.52 cents per pill depending on city and pharmacy.

(I used pharmacycompass.ca to get the averages based on using several different citys in the lower mainland.)

I just wanted to say good luck, whatever you decide. It's good that you are under no illusions about Canada being the 'answer' to your problems. But if you can go with enough confidence to deal with the uncertainty that moving continents brings, and you are comfortable (and positive) with the idea of coming back to the UK if it doesn't work out, then go for it. And obviously if you have a wee cushion of money that means you aren't tied either way, even better.

I think the only advice I can give you really is to make sure that you are as well as you can possibly be (without meds) before you go. Not only to avoid the financial implications of paying for care, but moving such a long way is far from stress-free....! It'll be a huge advantage for you if you are well enough to feel positive and comfortable meeting people and making new friends too.

There is masses of self-help out there about developing positivity and being in charge of your own happiness and so on, which you may find really useful to work on alongside your CBT. And whilst it's not available on the NHS, and therefore has a cost implication for you, life coaching can be a really useful tool both in recovery from depression and in preparing for a big change like moving to a different country. It is not the same as counselling or therapy (and is not a replacement for conventional treatment, at all) but it tends to focus on moving forwards, which you might find helpful (again, alongside your other treatment).

Best of luck with your decision!