[1] I’ve received questions from psychologists, families & system leaders about the availability of psychological services during COVID. Unfortunately, public funding does not flow to psychologists, they flow only to hospitals & transfer agencies: checkout https://www.ontario.ca/page/find-mental-health-support

[2] We’re continuing to advocate to all levels of gov for public funding to support more Ontarians during these difficult times. In the meantime, we are also connecting with various employers to improve supports through extended health benefits. Navigation supports are coming.

[4] Some schools, hospitals, correction facilities do sometimes offer psychological services, but this vary greatly from agency to agency and geographic areas. These psychologists primarily do diagnostic assessments, some therapy. Typically these services are not public facing.

[3] Our Disaster Response Network has recruited 300 volunteer clinical psychologists in Ontario who offered to provide no cost services to those directly impacted by COVID. We will be supporting various groups in days and weeks to come. Help is coming.

[5] A plan that could include community psychologists could more than double the number of practitioners available for the general public & significantly improve access to psychotherapy by up to 80%.

[6] We could further improve access to psychotherapy by considering the work of our social work & psychotherapist colleagues in community practices. The need is great & there are not enough clinicians to meet the need currently in Ontario. Have a good day #Ontario.