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Updated November 9
English resources |
To ensure high-quality care, and to plan for longer-term implementation of e-mental health services for children and youth, agencies are encouraged to evaluate current virtual care offerings. Understanding what has worked well, challenges and how these have been addressed will enable the sector, post-pandemic, to take deliberate steps to adding virtual care options to their suite of mental health services for families. This document presents guidelines to help agencies evaluate the virtual care services they provide. |
French resources |
Afin d’assurer des soins de grande qualité et de planifier la mise en œuvre à long terme de services de santé mentale en ligne pour les enfants et les adolescents, les organismes sont encouragés à évaluer leurs offres de soins virtuels. Comprendre ce qui a bien fonctionné, les défis rencontrés et la façon dont ils ont été relevés permettra aux intervenants du secteur, une fois la pandémie terminée, de prendre des mesures concrètes pour ajouter des options de soins virtuels à leur gamme de services de santé mentale pour les familles. Ce document présente des lignes directrices pour aider les agences à évaluer leur prestation de soins virtuels. |
Webinar - Evaluation of virtual care in response to COVID-19 |
On October 26, 2020, we joined forces with Children’s Mental Health Ontario to present a webinar outlining a province-wide evaluation of virtual care conducted between April and September 2020. Throughout the webinar we discussed what was working well, what wasn’t and how agencies and services providers can improve virtual services going forward. |
Updated September 3
English resources |
The beginning of the school year can be an adjustment for children and young people in a normal year. Yet this year they are also facing extraordinary circumstances relating to the pandemic and infection control and prevention measures. To support service providers, young people and families in addressing stress related to back-to-school plans, we partnered with Children’s Mental Health Ontario (CMHO) and developed a suite of evidence reviews, resources and tools — and we will be adding more in the coming weeks. |
French resources |
La rentrée scolaire peut être une période d’ajustement pour plusieurs enfants et jeunes en temps normal. Cette année, ils font aussi face à des circonstances sans précédents en raison de la pandémie et des mesures de contrôle et de prévention des infections. Afin d’appuyer les fournisseurs de services, les jeunes et les familles dans leurs efforts de réduction du stress lié à la rentrée scolaire, nous avons collaboré avec Santé mentale pour enfants Ontario et développé une série d’outils, de ressources et d’examen des données disponible — et nous ajouterons à cette liste dans les semaines à venir. |
Webinar - Back to school during COVID-19: What community-based child and youth mental health providers need to know |
Back-to-school season can be stressful for many children, young people and families — and the pandemic is adding another layer of complexity to the situation. In partnership with Children’s Mental Health Ontario (CMHO), we hosted a webinar focused on getting ready to support children, young people and their families as they make this transition, which looks like nothing we have encountered before. In this webinar, a panel of presenters shared:
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Webinar - Grade 12 to post-secondary: Transitions during COVID-19 |
In July 2020 the Centre co-presented a webinar on how frontline staff in both campus and community settings can help build and bridge support for students transition to post-secondary education. This webinar was hosted by CICMH and presenters included the Centre, Children’s Mental Health Ontario, School Mental Health Ontario and Good2Talk. You missed the webinar or would like to re-watch it? The recording is available here. |
Added August 12
English resources |
Throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, some children, youth and families have experienced the loss of loved ones due to COVID-19 or other health-related causes. COVID-19 has impacted the way families and children are able to grieve and mourn the death of a loved one. Physical distancing restrictions imposed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 have made it difficult for people to be present or to physically comfort family members or friends who are ill or dying. Service providers have identified the need for knowledge around the unique complexities of mourning and loss during a pandemic and key considerations when supporting bereaved children, youth and families. The Centre and Children’s Mental Health Ontario (CMHO) have compiled evidence and resources to help child and youth mental health service providers support families experiencing grief during the pandemic. |
French resources |
Tout au long de la pandémie de COVID-19, des enfants, des jeunes et des familles ont perdu des êtres chers en raison de la COVID-19 ou d’autres problèmes de santé. La pandémie a eu une incidence sur la façon dont les familles et les enfants font face au chagrin et pleurent la mort d’un être cher. En raison des restrictions d’éloignement physique imposées pour empêcher la propagation de la COVID-19, il était difficile d’être présent ou de réconforter physiquement les membres de la famille ou les amis malades ou mourants. Les fournisseurs de services ont cerné le besoin de connaître les complexités uniques liées au deuil et à la perte d’un être cher pendant une pandémie ainsi que les principaux facteurs à prendre en considération lorsqu’on offre du soutien aux enfants, aux jeunes et aux familles endeuillés. Le Centre et Santé mentale pour enfants Ontario (SMEO) ont compilé des données probantes et des ressources pour aider les fournisseurs de services de santé mentale destinés aux enfants et aux jeunes à soutenir les familles qui vivent un deuil pendant la pandémie. |
Updated July 30
English resources |
The emergence of COVID-19 in populations across the globe has had a significant impact on the delivery of face-to-face child and youth mental health services in Ontario. In order to continue to meet the needs of children, youth and families, many service-providing agencies are rapidly moving to deliver care through telecommunication technologies. To support our community partners during this challenging time, the Centre and Children’s Mental Health Ontario (CMHO) have compiled:
The resources shared were gathered through a rapid, non-systematic scan of practice guidelines with an intent to support you in a timely fashion, as you explore alternatives to face-to-face mental health care for children, youth and families. The guidelines and resources shared were not collected through an exhaustive search or systematic review, but reflect information available at the time of writing. As new practice evidence emerges, recommendations may evolve. Within this resource, the following terms are used interchangeably to refer to the provision of client care using telecommunication technologies as alternatives to face-to-face services: e-mental health, telehealth, telepsychology, e-services, telepractice, online treatment, video counselling, tele-rehabilitation. Professional guidelines or requirementsHands TheFamilyHelpNetwork.caAs many service providers are shifting to virtual care during the COVID-19 pandemic, organizations are developing or enhancing policies, procedures and guidance documents intended to support this form of service delivery. In many instances, professional associations and colleges have guidelines or requirements that must be followed. Hands TheFamilyHelpNetwork.ca has developed this resource to provide guidance and support to psychotherapists working in the agency, as they support clients virtually. We are sharing this resource with permission from Hands TheFamilyHelpNetwork.ca. This document is intended for guidance only. Guidelines, toolkits and resourcesYouthREXOntario HealthMental Health Commission of CanadaVirtual care platformsOntario Telemedicine NetworkThink ResearchTo support service delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic, Think Research is dropping its rates to $10 per month to help psychologists move to a virtual care platform. Think Research is a Canadian company, with Canadian servers and complies with Canadian privacy laws. They are currently one of the vendors working with the Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN). Think Research offered to provide a number of free licenses to Ontario Psychological Association members who have offered pro bono services as part of the Disaster Response Network led by Dr. Liliana Tarba. Psychological associations and collegesCanadian Psychological AssociationOntario Psychological AssociationCollege of Psychologists of OntarioThe College of Psychologists of Ontario (the College) recently shared the following links with its membership, which include video presentations and tutorials by Dr. Christine Korol, R.Psych., to help members move to online services. These presentations by Dr. Korol were part of the Barbara Wand seminar in professional ethics, standards and conduct.
The College also shared a link to Dr. Korol’s three-part introduction to online services, which covers topics related to ethics and online practice. Counselling and psychotherapy associations and collegesCanadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association
College of Registered Psychotherapists of OntarioSocial workOntario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers
Rehabilitation servicesCollege of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of OntarioCanadian Alliance of Physiotherapy RegulatorsCollege of Physiotherapists of OntarioCollege of Occupational Therapists of Ontario |
French resources |
L’émergence de la COVID-19 dans les populations du monde entier a eu une incidence importante sur la prestation de services de santé mentale en personne aux enfants et aux jeunes en Ontario. Afin de continuer à répondre aux besoins des enfants, des jeunes et des familles, de nombreux organismes offrant des services prennent rapidement des mesures pour fournir des soins au moyen des technologies de télécommunication. Pour soutenir nos partenaires communautaires en cette période difficile, le Centre et Santé mentale pour enfants Ontario (SMEO) ont compilé ce qui suit :
Les ressources partagées ont été recueillies au moyen d’une analyse rapide et non systématique des lignes directrices sur la pratique dans le but de vous aider dans les meilleurs délais à explorer des solutions de rechange aux soins de santé mentale en personne pour les enfants, les jeunes et les familles. Les lignes directrices et les ressources partagées n’ont pas été recueillies au moyen d’une recherche exhaustive ou d’un examen systématique, mais reflètent l’information disponible au moment de la rédaction. À mesure que de nouvelles données probantes sur la pratique deviendront disponibles, les recommandations pourront évoluer. Dans la présente ressource, les termes suivants sont utilisés de façon interchangeable pour désigner la prestation de soins aux clients à l’aide des technologies de télécommunications comme solutions de rechange aux services de santé mentale en personne : télésanté mentale, télésanté, télépsychologie, services électroniques, télépratique, traitement en ligne, consultation vidéo, téléréadaptation. Lignes directrices et exigences professionnellesMains LeReseaudaideauxfamilles.caLa pandémie de la COVID-19 a poussé plusieurs fournisseurs de services à faire une transition vers des soins virtuels. Ces organismes ont dû mettre en place ou étoffer leurs politiques, procédures et documents d’orientation afin de soutenir cette forme de prestation de services. Dans plusieurs cas, les associations et les corps professionnels ont également des lignes directrices ou des exigences qui doivent être respectées. Mains LeReseaudaideauxfamilles.ca a créé la présente ressource pour orienter et appuyer les psychothérapeutes travaillant au sein de l’agence dans leur suivi virtuel de clients. Nous rendons cette ressource disponible avec la permission de Mains LeReseaudaideauxfamilles.ca. Ceci est uniquement un document d’orientation. Lignes directrices, trousses d’outils et ressourcesCommission de la santé mentale du CanadaPlateformes de soins virtuelsRéseau Télémédecine OntarioAssociations et ordres de counseling et de psychothérapieAssociation canadienne de counseling et de psychothérapie
Services de réadaptationOrdre des audiologistes et des orthophonistes de l’OntarioOrdre des ergothérapeutes de l’Ontario |
Policies, procedures and guidance: examples from Ontario agencies |
We are sharing examples of policies and procedures for e-mental health services developed by Ontario child and youth mental health agencies, with permission of the authors. These resources are meant for guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic and are shared as examples only. The Centre has not evaluated these documents and does not formally recommend or endorse the guidance provided within them. Phoenix Centre for Children and FamiliesThe Phoenix Centre for Children and Families is currently building a virtual walk-in mental health service for the families they serve across Renfrew County. As part of this work, staff have engaged in training and consultation to design a) a draft policy and procedure on video conferencing as a means of client communication; and b) draft guidance and considerations for providing therapy over the phone or through videoconferencing software. If you have questions about these documents, please contact Debra Woodfine, clinical director at dwoodfine@phoenixctr.com.
Compass Child & Youth Mental Health ServicesPathstone Mental HealthAlgoma Family Services |
Webinar: Virtual care 101 for child and youth mental health |
On April 25, 2020 the Centre and School Mental Health Ontario co-hosted a webinar as an introduction to virtual mental health care delivery to child and youth mental health service providers working in community-based or school settings. This webinar focused on responding to stakeholder questions in five key areas: getting ready to deliver virtual care; ethics, privacy and legal considerations when delivering virtual care; engaging with clients in virtual care; clinical considerations (including risk assessment); and generally increasing comfort and troubleshooting issues when delivering virtual care. |
Webinar: Managing high-risk situations in virtual care |
Updated July 30 On June 6, 2020, the Centre, School Mental Health Ontario and Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario presented a webinar on High intensity virtual care as part of the Virtual Care Learning Series. As the COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing and affecting many aspects of our lives, service providers in schools and community-based child and youth mental health settings are continuing to provide services through virtual care to support Ontario’s children, youth and families. In some instances, practitioners are encountering or are alert to high risk situations (like family violence, concerns about abuse, suicidal behavior) and are wondering about how best to manage these types of challenging scenarios virtually. In this webinar, a panel of experienced virtual care clinicians answered questions from mental health professionals serving children, youth, and families throughout Ontario about how best to provide high intensity mental health services virtually, including a focus on:
Watch the webinar |
Added July 23
English resources |
The COVID-19 global pandemic has resulted in a rapid change to how community mental health services and supports are delivered. In addition to impacting the way services are delivered (with many providers shifting from in-person to virtual care), we have also heard anecdotally that the pandemic has impacted who is accessing services and the range and severity of presenting concerns. Ontario’s service providing agencies have asked how can we prepare now to ensure we have the capacity to meet the volume and types of emerging child and youth mental health needs both through and post-pandemic? |
French resources |
La pandémie mondiale de COVID-19 a entraîné un changement rapide de la façon dont les services et les soutiens en santé mentale communautaires sont offerts. En plus d’avoir une incidence sur la façon dont les services sont offerts (de nombreux fournisseurs passant de soins en personne à des soins virtuels), nous avons également entendu dire anecdotiquement que la pandémie a eu une incidence sur les personnes qui accèdent aux services et sur l’étendue et la gravité des préoccupations présentées. Les organismes de prestation de services de l’Ontario ont demandé comment nous pouvons nous préparer maintenant pour nous assurer d’avoir la capacité de répondre au volume et aux types de besoins émergents pendant et après la pandémie. |
Added June 9
English resources |
The emergence of COVID-19 in populations across the globe has had a significant impact on the delivery of child and youth mental health services in Ontario. Service providers and organizational leaders have been required to shift their usual ways of working to adapt their services and deliver virtual and/or in-person care safely. These unanticipated changes, along with changes to community and family life in response to the pandemic (e.g. social distancing, self-isolation and quarantine) have created the “perfect storm” for the emergence of mental health challenges and burnout across direct service providers. |
French resources |
L’émergence de la COVID-19 dans les populations du monde entier a eu une incidence importante sur la prestation de services de santé mentale aux enfants et aux jeunes en Ontario. Les fournisseurs de services et les dirigeants organisationnels ont dû modifier leur façon habituelle de travailler afin d’adapter leurs services et d’offrir des soins virtuels ou en personne en toute sécurité. Ces changements imprévus, ainsi que les changements dans la vie communautaire et familiale en réaction à la pandémie (p. ex., éloignement sanitaire, isolement et quarantaine) ont créé la « tempête parfaite » pour l’émergence de problèmes de santé mentale et d’épuisement professionnel chez les fournisseurs de services directs. |
Added June 2
English resources |
Internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT) is a structured form of psychotherapy in which clients receive psychological support through email or online modules. The level of therapist support involved in guiding therapy, the duration, and specific program elements vary across individual programs. Overall, the evidence suggests that iCBT is an effective alternative (or complement, in some cases) to traditional in-person cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), while addressing common access barriers associated with in-person CBT (e.g., perceived stigma, cost, geographical access in rural and remote areas, wait times). |
French resources |
La thérapie cognitivo-comportementale offerte par Internet (TCCI) est une forme structurée de psychothérapie dans laquelle les clients reçoivent un soutien psychologique par courriel ou au moyen de modules en ligne. Le niveau de soutien des thérapeutes dans l’orientation de la thérapie, sa durée et ses éléments particuliers varient d’un programme à l’autre. Dans l’ensemble, les données probantes indiquent que la TCCI est une solution de rechange efficace (ou un complément, dans certains cas) à la thérapie cognitivo-comportementale (TCC) traditionnelle en personne et qu’elle s’attaque aux obstacles courants qui limitent l’accès à la TCC en personne. (p. ex. stigmatisation perçue, coût, difficulté d’accès en région rurale ou éloignée, temps d’attente). |
Updated April 20
English resources |
The emergence of COVID-19 in populations across the globe has had a significant impact on children, youth and families. To support our community partners during this challenging time, the Centre has compiled links to resources published by child and youth mental health organizations, professional associations and organizations relevant to child and youth care, to support discussions between parents/caregivers and children and youth. The resources shared were gathered through a rapid, non-systematic scan of practice guidelines with an intent to support you in a timely fashion. The resources shared were not collected through an exhaustive search or systematic review, but reflect information available at the time of writing. As new practice evidence emerges, recommendations may evolve. Note that in this resource “COVID-19” and “coronavirus” are used interchangeably and refer to the respiratory disease that is caused by a novel coronavirus that was discovered in 2019. World Health OrganizationChildren’s story book released to help children and young people cope with COVID-19 CHU Sainte-Justine (as published on the Canadian Pediatric Society website)Tips and tricks to help adolescents cope during the COVID-19 pandemic Children’s Mental Health OntarioTalking to your anxious child about COVID-19
Canadian Psychological AssociationMental health and coping during COVID-19
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US)
Kids Health
Child Mind InstituteTalking to kids about the coronavirus
Psychology TodayHow to talk to kids and teens about the coronavirus
NPRJust for kids: A comic exploring the new coronavirus
World Health OrganizationHelping children cope with stress during the 2019 nCoV outbreak The Autism Educator
The National Child Traumatic Stress NetworkParent/caregiver guide to helping families cope with COVID-19
American Academy of Child and Adolescent PsychiatryTalking to children about COVID-19
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French resources |
CHU Sainte-Justine (tel que publié sur le site web de la Société canadienne de pédiatrie)Trucs et astuces pour un confinement moins difficile à l’adolescence pendant la pandémie au COVID-19 Unicef
Organisation mondiale de la santéHôpital Ste-Justine (Montréal)
Ordre des psychologues du QuébecOffice fédéral de la santé publique (Suisse)Série d’affichages imprimables – règles d’hygiène, comment se protéger, lavage de mains, etc.
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Added April 8
English resources |
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the way community-based child and youth mental health agencies provide support to families. To comply with orders of the emergency declaration in Ontario (March 17, 2020; extended on March 30, 2020) and associated efforts to promote physical distancing, many agencies are delivering professional services through virtual visits and telephone, having rapidly transitioned to using online platforms and tools that allow service providers to work from home. This sudden adjustment to a new way of working brings novel challenges for supervisors and teams. The Centre and Children's Mental Health OntarioTo support our community partners during this challenging time, the Centre and Children’s Mental Health Ontario (CMHO) scanned the academic and grey literature for practical guidance for supervisors managing virtual teams. The content and resources shared in this document were not collected through an exhaustive search or systematic review, and reflect information available at the time of writing. |
French resources |
La pandémie de COVID‑19 a eu une incidence importante sur la façon dont les organismes communautaires de santé mentale pour enfants et adolescents offrent du soutien aux familles. Afin de se conformer aux ordres de la déclaration de l’état d’urgence en Ontario (17 mars 2020; prolongation le 30 mars 2020) et aux efforts associés à la promotion de la distanciation physique, de nombreux organismes offrent leurs services professionnels sous forme de consultations virtuelles et téléphoniques, après avoir rapidement adopté les plateformes et les outils en ligne qui permettent aux fournisseurs de service de travailler à domicile. Cette adaptation soudaine à une nouvelle façon de travailler présente de nouveaux défis pour les superviseurs et les équipes. Le Centre et Santé mentale pour enfants OntarioAfin d’appuyer nos partenaires communautaires durant cette période difficile, le Centre et Santé mentale pour enfants Ontario (SMEO) ont procédé à un examen des publications universitaires et de la littérature grise pour obtenir des conseils pratiques à l’intention des superviseurs qui gèrent des équipes virtuelles. Le contenu et les ressources partagés dans le présent document n’ont pas été recueillis au moyen d’une recherche exhaustive ou d’un examen systématique, et ils reflètent l’information disponible au moment de la rédaction. |
Added April 8
Privacy legislation and considerations |
Privacy legislation and governance processes aimed at protecting an individual’s health information are shared across federal and provincial/territorial jurisdictions, professional policies, and organizational policies. Each province and organizational body will legislate appropriate practices to ensure the protection of personal health information (PHI), including access, collection, use and disclosure of information. Child and youth mental health agencies in Ontario are governed by the Child, Youth and Family Services Act (CYFSA) and by the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA). Legal obligations for privacy, confidentiality and consent are complex in the child and youth mental health sector due to overlapping:
We strongly recommend legal and relevant information technology (IT) consultations and review when implementing standard operating procedures and frameworks in an organization. This document does not provide legal advice and is to be used for information purposes only. Organizational policies need to be in place to guide the use of e-mental health services and PHI. To help keep patients and families’ PHI safe, and to safeguard against liability:
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English resources |
The emergence of COVID-19 in populations across the globe has had a significant impact on the delivery of face-to-face child and youth mental health services in Ontario. In order to continue to meet the needs of children, youth and families, many service-providing agencies are rapidly moving to deliver care through telecommunication technologies. To support our community partners during this challenging time, the Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health (the Centre) and Children’s Mental Health Ontario (CMHO) have compiled:
The resources shared were gathered through a rapid, non-systematic scan of practice guidelines with the goal of providing timely support to service providers exploring alternatives to face-to-face mental health care for children, youth and families. The resources shared were not collected through an exhaustive search or systematic review but reflect information available at the time of writing. As new practice evidence emerges, recommended resources may evolve. Within this resource, the following terms are used interchangeably to refer to the provision of client care using telecommunication technologies as alternatives to face-to-face services: e-mental health, telemental health, telehealth, telepsychology, e-services, telepractice, online treatment, video counselling, tele-rehabilitation. Federal and provincial privacy policies and standardsFederalProvincial (Ontario)
Professional bodiesPsychological associations and colleges
Counselling and psychotherapy associations and colleges
Social work
Rehabilitation services
Toolkits and resourcesMental Health Commission of CanadaVirtual care platformsOntario Telemedicine Network
Zoom |
French resources |
L’émergence de la COVID-19 dans les populations du monde entier a eu une incidence importante sur la prestation de services de santé mentale en personne aux enfants et aux jeunes en Ontario. Afin de continuer à répondre aux besoins des enfants, des jeunes et des familles, de nombreux organismes de prestation de services prennent rapidement des mesures pour fournir des soins au moyen des technologies de télécommunication. Pour soutenir nos partenaires communautaires en cette période difficile, le Centre d’excellence de l’Ontario en santé mentale des enfants et des adolescents (le Centre) et Santé mentale pour enfants Ontario (SMEO) ont compilé ce qui suit :
Les ressources partagées ont été recueillies au moyen d’une analyse rapide et non systématique des lignes directrices sur la pratique en vue d’aider dans les meilleurs délais les fournisseurs de services à explorer des solutions de rechange aux soins de santé mentale en personne pour les enfants, les jeunes et les familles. Les ressources échangées n’ont pas été recueillies au moyen d’une recherche exhaustive ou d’un examen systématique, mais reflètent l’information disponible au moment de la rédaction. À mesure que de nouvelles données probantes sur la pratique deviennent disponibles, les ressources recommandées peuvent évoluer. Dans la présente ressource, les termes suivants sont utilisés de façon interchangeable pour désigner la prestation de soins aux clients à l’aide des technologies de télécommunications comme solutions de rechange aux services de santé mentale en personne : santé mentale en ligne, télésanté mentale, télésanté, télépsychologie, services électroniques, télépratique, traitement en ligne, consultation vidéo, réadaptation à distance. Politiques et normes fédérales et provinciales en matière de protection des renseignements personnels Politiques et normes fédérales et provinciales en matière de protection des renseignements personnelsFédéral
Provincial (Ontario)
Associations et ordres de counseling et de psychothérapieAssociation canadienne de counseling et de psychothérapie
Services de réadaptationAlliance canadienne des organismes de réglementation de la physiothérapieOrdre des ergothérapeutes de l’OntarioOutils et ressourcesCommission de la santé mentale du CanadaPlateformes de soins virtuelsRéseau Télémédecine Ontario• Centre de la protection des renseignements personnels
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