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There is no doubt that 2020 has had an impact on our collective mental health. Isolation, job loss, and a fear of contracting COVID-19 is just the tip of the iceberg. People have faced both a change in resources and a lack of options. The result is a glut of clients with pre-existing issues and those with problems that have developed due to the pandemic. Where can you find help when in-person therapy and support isn’t a viable option for most? Online! Mental health providers have adapted with the times, providing in-demand treatment in an on-demand format.

App-Based Therapy Options

A new kind of practitioner has cropped up in 2020: the online therapist. Online therapy apps offer secure, convenient, affordable options for support. Plans can include connection points such as video therapy, text messaging, and phone calls. You can find therapists for individual sessions, group sessions, and couples therapy. Whether you’re looking for an app targeting your age group (teens, say) or your issue (depression, anxiety), choices abound. Just be sure to check the credentials of the therapists, which can affect not only your experience but also your insurance coverage.

mental health online apps
Mental health help is being accessed through apps

Even existing mental health providers have found a way to continue serving clients during the pandemic. EHN Canada is one example, using EHN online for “barrier-free mental health and addiction treatment”. Although this platform was originally developed four years ago for aftercare, it’s found an additional audience during COVID. EHN online provides secure video counselling and recovery planning facilitated by the Wagon app. That means people who can’t access treatment for mental health and substance use disorders in person can still benefit from the services virtually. The convenience of this anytime, anywhere method means people who can’t attend treatment at one of the facilities can still get help.

Mental Health Influencers

Also known as therapy influencers, these are people who are using their social media platforms to raise awareness of issues such as depression and anxiety. Whether they are speaking from personal experience or are compelled simply by a need to help, this highly-visible form of outreach provides some important support. Many influencers are making videos with personal testimonials that can make viewers feel less alone and help dissolve the stigma of mental health.

These influencers cover a wide range of social media personalities. From the young actor sharing her personal story to professionals, the resources stretch far beyond a one size fits all mentality. Licensed professionals are sharing tips on Twitter, while marriage counsellors are giving advice on Instagram. There are weekly live streams and Q&A sessions. Searching a list of mental health influencers will give you a wide range of options for some good advice.

WFH Changes

Even the home-based office tools we’re using are catering to mental health. Microsoft’s Teams communication platform is making an effort to improve user wellness by trying to create a better work-life balance with stress-soothing tools. Try the virtual commute experience or schedule time for breaks for a better out-of-office workday. Have a look at this handy video promoting the platform.

Get Help Online

As stressful as commuting and working in an office can be, working from home has presented a whole new set of mental health challenges. The boundaries between work, home, and family have been blurred. Our daily interactions have fallen off. We’ve had to adjust to new protocols in every aspect of our lives. In response, online tools are being used to give advice, promote support systems, and provide direct support. We understand the valuable role video can play in mental health and count the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, the Canadian Mental Health Association, and the School of Mental Health Ontario among our clients. If you’re looking for a video partner to help with your initiative, give us a call. And if you’re in need of mental health resources, please click here.

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