COVID-19 and telemental health: Benefits, challenges, and future directions.

Abstract

Although the medical impacts of COVID-19 are notable, the interpersonal, financial, and social consequences of the pandemic are likely to have the largest and most sustained effect on the psychological health of Canadians Since the onset of the pandemic, mental illness has increased and demand for resources and services are on the rise COVID-19 has served as a catalyst for the rapid implementation and acceptance of telemental health as a psychological service delivery option Telemental health has several benefits, including increased reach and accessibility for those living in rural areas, reduced treatment attrition, and cost savings due to reduced travel Although telemental health may be an innovative solution for broadly delivering psychological services, it can also pose threats to confidentiality and is limited to individuals with accessibility to the Internet and capability to navigate online platforms Telemental health may also not be appropriate for individuals with severe mental illness (e g , active psychosis, suicidality), who require in-person services to mitigate acute risk, or in situations in which a high degree of confidentiality is critical for accurate disclosure (e g , child maltreatment, domestic violence) In this commentary, we describe the benefits and challenges of telemental health, and also highlight important considerations for clinicians, children and youth, systems that coordinate and facilitate mental health services, and future research We conclude that telemental health is not a panacea and requires careful consideration for appropriateness depending on client needs and confidentiality, and standards for ensuring optimal outcomes for clients (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved) Abstract (French) Bien que les repercussions medicales de la COVID-19 soient notables, les consequences interpersonnelles, financieres et sociales de la pandemie auront probablement l'effet le plus important et le plus soutenu sur la sante psychologique des Canadiens Depuis l'apparition de la pandemie, la maladie mentale a augmente et la demande de ressources et de services est en hausse La COVID-19 a servi de catalyseur a la mise en oeuvre et a l'acceptation rapides de la telesante mentale comme option de prestation de services psychologiques La telesante mentale a plusieurs avantages, notamment une portee et une accessibilite accrues pour les personnes vivant dans les zones rurales, une reduction de l'attrition dans le traitement et des economies en raison de deplacements reduits Bien que la telesante mentale puisse etre une solution novatrice pour offrir des services psychologiques a grande echelle, elle peut egalement poser des menaces a la confidentialite et est limitee aux personnes ayant acces a Internet et ayant la capacite de naviguer sur les plateformes en ligne La telesante mentale peut egalement ne pas etre appropriee pour les personnes atteintes d'une maladie mentale grave (p ex , psychose active, tendances suicidaires), qui ont besoin de services en personne pour attenuer le risque aigu ou dans les situations ou un degre eleve de confidentialite est essentiel a une divulgation exacte (p ex , maltraitance des enfants, violence familiale) Dans ce commentaire, nous decrivons les avantages et les defis de la telesante mentale, et nous mettons egalement en evidence des considerations importantes pour les cliniciens, les enfants et les adolescents, les systemes qui coordonnent et facilitent les services de sante mentale et les recherches futures Nous concluons que la telesante mentale n'est pas une panacee et qu'elle necessite un examen minutieux de sa pertinence en fonction des besoins des clients et de la confidentialite, ainsi que des normes visant a garantir des resultats optimaux pour les clients (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved) Impact Statement Public Significance Statement -COVID-19 and its associated physical-distancing requirements served as a catalyst for the rapid uptake and implementation of telemental health This commentary explores both the benefits, as well as the cautions and challenges of using telemental health as a psychological service delivery option during COVID-19 and in a postpandemic future It is argued that each client's clinical needs, safety, and confidentiality, as well as comfort with online platforms, should be considered when determining their appropriateness for telemental health (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)

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