Invest in mental health care accessibility, specifically reducing barriers for equity-deserving groups
"It is essential that governments, health systems, care providers and other key stakeholders recognize and act upon the opportunity to invest in accessible and equitable mental health care delivery" - Dr. Jill Murphy
Investment in broad accessibility of digital care is required, recognizing that one size does not fit all. For example, in the FOCUS survey, 65% of Canadians respondents reported they wanted to access mental health services in the last 6 months, but only 58% were able to gain access to the mental health services. Young adults living in rural areas, those who lost income due to COVID-19 and those who experienced ethno-racial discrimination were more likely to report unmet mental health service needs. Accessibility considerations include cultural appropriateness, availability of care in appropriate languages, usability considerations and providing options across diverse platforms (e.g. SMS texts messaging to promote privacy and safety, telephone-based options for populations with low digital literacy or other technology access barriers). Further, including all mental health support in publicly funded health coverage is important to reducing financial barriers to mental health care, which is particularly important for 2S/LGBTQ+ individuals since 2S/LGBTQ+-affirming mental health care is rarely covered by employee insurance in Canada and being financially pressured into accessing non-affirming care increases risk of experiencing stigmatizing interactions. There is also a need for improved access to and options for mental health support through improved integration of services, streamlined referral pathways between mental and other health services, and a focus on strengthening connections to timely and appropriate mental health supports. Increasing availability of tailored services and early interventions for populations experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, disproportionate mental health needs is also crucial.
Supporting research
Sex in the Time of COVID-19
BC Centre for Disease Control
2S/LGBTQ+COVID-19IndigenousPeople of colourYouthTechnology and Equitable Access for Mental Healthcare in a post-COVID Asia Pacific (TEAM-CAP)
University of British Columbia
COVID-19Service provider perspectives on tools to improve access to mental health supports for sexual and gender diverse populations: A qualitative research study
Simon Fraser University
Provider perspectives2S/LGBTQ+Virtual careCOVID-19Service user perspectivesInvisible No More
Provider perspectivesCOVID-19GenderCOVID-19, Caregiving and Careers of Alberta Teachers and School Leaders: A Qualitative Study
Simon Fraser University
COVID-19GenderFOCUS
University of British Columbia
COVID-19Youth