Adelaide Santos

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Research Project

The Future of Telemental Health Care for Youth

Bio

As someone who was in counseling during the COVID-19 pandemic, I am personally interested in researching the administrative perspective of shift of health services to virtual modalities, specifically Telemental healthcare for youth. Research for better administration techniques and patient needs cannot be ignored given the breadth of this new modality, which cannot now be taken away. The sooner we begin to identify trends, attitudes, and administrator training requirements, the more accessible and beneficial virtual resources for youth will be.

Research Summary

Through examining a combination of quantitative statistical data and a thoughtful qualitative interview from a Center for Addiction and Mental Health social worker in the Concurrent Youth Disorder department, The Future of Telemental Health Care for Youth addresses how the younger demographic is experiencing virtual counseling and how administrators can improve in step with future prospects. Research shows that the emerging modality has sunk its teeth into the world of mental health and is here to stay, making this research inevitable and invaluable.

Research Poster

A detailed infographic by Adelaide Santos, Toronto Metropolitan University, on 'The Future of Telemental Health Care for Youth.' It features a stylized pink head with swirling yellow and purple brain patterns. Sections include: 'Background' on virtual counseling research; 'Methodology' outlining COVID-19's impact and an interview with a social worker; 'SickKids Annual Reviews' with a line graph showing daily bed occupancy dropping from 2018 (around 280) to 2022 (around 270), offset by nearly 100,000 virtual visits in the last year; a 'CAMH Interview' section discussing 'By Phone' advantages (e.g., privacy for gender dysphoria, remote access) and 'By Video' disadvantages (e.g., patient distraction, lack of formality); and 'What will the future of telemental health care look like?' featuring a quote emphasizing virtual care's permanence and bullet points on administrative training, needs-based modality, supply/demand, and the acceptance of telemental health care. A multi-layered purple and yellow pyramid graphic appears near the bottom.

Lightning Talk

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