The global pandemic has undoubtedly impacted children's mental health. According to a SickKids survey, approximately 70% of children and youth have reported worsened mental health since the start of the pandemic.
Texts and calls to Kids Help Phone doubled and hospitalizations due to eating disorders and suicide attempts increased substantially amongst youth.
Children and youth were confronted with social isolation, online/self-directed learning, and increased exposure to domestic violence at home without necessarily having access to the usual supports.
The residual impact of the pandemic is undeniable, despite the return of in-person learning. Furthermore, navigating relationships, friends, family, school, and the pressure of social media can be confusing, anxiety provoking, and bring a host of other difficult feelings.
No wonder it’s hard figuring out who you want to be and what you want to get out of life.
We all need someone who will be there for us in the difficult moments and not simply tell us how to live.
We help teens make sense of what is going on with their thoughts, body, and emotions, and build skills to take effective action in life. Our team of clinicians provides evidence-based strategies for youth ages 15-19.
Our clinicians can support your teen in better managing their anxiety, depression, self-esteem issues, anger, difficulties in relationships, or school-related challenges. We can be another person that they can trust and confide in when life hits the hardest to make sure they get the support that they need.
References
- Brown, D. (2021, March 18). Number of youth in hospital after suicide attempt tripled over 4-month period under COVID-19. CBC News. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/pandemic-safety-measures-children-teen-health-impact-1.5953326
- Children’s Mental Health Ontario (CMHO; 2021, May 25). The impacts of COVID-19 on mental health needs. https://cmho.org/wp-content/uploads/Evidence-Brief-May-2021-.pdf
Benefits:
- Effectiveness. Research shows that online therapy can be just as effective as in-person therapy for issues related to mental health.
- Accessible. Accommodates those living in rural or remote areas, people living with disabilities that prevent them from leaving the home, and eliminates transportation barriers.
- Convenience. No need to schedule time for a commute.
- Cost Effective. Eliminates cost of parking and transportation.
Considerations:
- Coverage. Some insurance companies may not cover it. We encourage you to check with yours.
- Confidentiality and Privacy. Although we use encrypted, HIPAA-compliant software and abide by telehealth guidelines, communicating over the Internet entails a greater risk for security breach compared to in-person. It also means possible Internet connectivity issues.
- Distractions. Possibilities for disruption depending on your living circumstances and others in the home.
Benefits:
- Trust and Body Language. Some people may prefer viewing the entire body language of their therapist for more effective communication.
- Severe mental health or psychiatric concerns. A more appropriate and accommodating option for people that may need crisis intervention that is better supported with in-person care.
- Participation. It is an opportunity to engage in an activity outside of your home.
Considerations:
- Time consuming. Ensuring commute time may be challenging for busy schedules.
- Expenses. Possible parking and transportation fees.
All virtual sessions are conducted using secure, HIPAA-compliant software. Research has shown that psychotherapy offered through telehealth is an effective solution for mental health treatment. The efficacy of either option depends on individual preference and comfort level.