Previously submitted to: JMIR Mental Health (no longer under consideration since Feb 27, 2022)
Date Submitted: Oct 8, 2021
Open Peer Review Period: Oct 8, 2021 - Feb 27, 2022
(closed for review but you can still tweet)
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The Impact of COVID-19 on people living with Major Depressive Disorder: The need for credible, continuous virtual care
Telepsychiatry presents an opportunity to promote access to psychiatric care, improve treatment and reduce costs compared with face-to-face care. In Canada and globally, COVID-19 public health measures restricted access to essential psychosocial coping strategies for individuals living with depression, including Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Consequently, this exacerbated depressive symptoms resulting from limited access to resources and supports that treat or reduce symptom severity and widened the gaps in care experienced. With the ongoing impact of the pandemic, there is reason to be concerned the gap in care will persist, if not widen. The increased prevalence and acceptability of virtual services should be leveraged, along with policy changes to enhance adaptability. At the same time, this is an opportunity to address the barriers and limitations that may have limited the adoption of telepsychiatry services to date and address existing gaps in access and quality of care for persons living with MDD. Continued advocacy efforts to monitor implementation and better improve access to the internet and services pathways to accessible care is imperative for the integration, leveraging and facilitation of telepsychiatry
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