Pandemic transformed mental health care, but the right policies are needed to ensure safety and effectiveness

Mental health-care delivery has changed, possibly forever. Post-pandemic, with appropriate federal government interventions, our digital moment should mean that more Canadians can access safe and effective mental health care when they need it.

Health Minister Patty Hajdu, pictured testifying remotely before the Special House Committee on Canada-China Relations. Developing standards for and mandating labelling of mental health and wellness apps is regulatory work that can begin now, under the leadership of Health Canada, write Sen. Stan Kutcher and David Gratzer. Screen capture photograph courtesy of ParlVu

Opinion

BY DAVID GRATZER AND STAN KUTCHER

July 8, 2021

COVID-19 has changed Canada in many ways. For mental health care, the pandemic has transformed service delivery with the rapid adoption of virtual care. Face-to-face visits have now been largely replaced by phone calls and Zoom meetings, and, increasingly, apps. As we move past the pandemic, we nee...

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