In the face of the current pandemic, people are adopting virtual health practices more than ever. These practices allow patients to get the support they need, without taking a step outside of their homes.
We’ve collected a list of virtual health resources to inform you of all the resources that are available to you, including details around what type of service it is, the cost, and other important details. We are committed to helping you stay healthy during this time and will be updating this list regularly. If you know of a resource that we haven’t listed here, please email benefits@humi.ca so we can keep a comprehensive list for Canadians.
How virtual care can help
In times of high anxiety and stress, it’s more important than ever to invest in your mental wellness and physical wellness, and there are numerous ways virtual care can help.
The most important benefit is that virtual care offers convenience. Pre-pandemic life meant patients would spend time to and from their appointments and in waiting rooms. Now that you’re empowered to connect with professionals from your home, midday appointments are possible without sacrificing a good chunk of your workday and personal time.
On-demand Medical Support
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Mental health support
Inkblot
Inkblot enables therapy online through video conferencing, instead of in-person. Their mission is to make therapy services more accessible and affordable. They have over 200 therapists that you can book sessions with. The first visits are free (until you find a therapist you like). After this, the sessions cost $37.50 per 30 minute of individual counselling. If you’re a business, you can opt-in to their corporate program to cover the cost of therapy for your employees.
Inkblot Meditation
Inkblot is offering live fully-guided video sessions. No experience is required. These sessions are completely free. Anyone can join.
BetterHelp
BetterHelp offers professional online counselling. You can choose from a variety of communication channels - chat, phone call, or video call. They also have the option of messaging your therapist anytime, with no previous scheduling. The prices range from $40 to $70 per week (billed monthly) and includes unlimited access to your counsellor. You can cancel your membership at any time for any reason.
Silvercloud
Silvercloud is a digital mental health platform with the mission to break down all the barriers with mental and behavioural health care. They have over 30+ programs across the spectrum of mental health. It is free for 60 days.
Big Whitewall
This is an anonymous, clinically managed, community providing peer-to-peer support. A safe place to talk, share and support people. They provide a support network of clinically managed online forums, self-guided groups, courses, and a library of useful articles and resources. It is free to access.
TalkSpace
Talkspace is a platform that allows you to send your therapist text, audio, picture, and video messages at any time, and they will respond daily, 5x/week. They offer Unlimited Messaging Therapy, social media therapy for individuals, teens, couples and businesses. All prices are discounted in this period. It typically costs $65/week for Unlimited Messaging Therapy and Talk space for Teens. And $99/week for Couples therapy
Talkspace for COVID-19
To provide some relief in this time, Talkspace is offering a free therapist-led Facebook support groups, 16-day anxiety relief program to reduce/manage fear about COVID-19 and discounted Talkspace subscriptions for all.
Centre For Interactive Mental Health Solutions
CIHMS is a not-for-profit organization with a goal of making effective mental health services accessible to people around the world. They offer free online therapy for depression that involves an 8 session interactive therapy program for depression that you complete on your own. This is available for free.
Layla
Layla is a curated community of mental health therapists that provides both physical and virtual therapy sessions to Ontarians. It costs $130 per 50 mins ($170 for couples starting June 1st, 2020).
The Lifeline Canada Foundation
The Lifeline Canada Foundation is committed to positive mental health and suicide reduction across Canada. They do this mostly through The LifeLine App and the Companion Paws program. The app gives you access to online chat, text, email crisis help, Canadian Crisis Line Centres Mapping, online counselling, and more. It is free.
EQ Care
EQ Care's team helps employees address both physical and mental health challenges before they manifest into chronic and complex medical issues, and negatively impact their performance and productivity. Their services include virtual Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and virtual independent medical evaluations. It is available in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver.
Advance Health
Advance Health is a group of registered psychotherapists, psychologists, and psychological associates who have come together to help get you where you want to be. . Their services include psychotherapy, video-therapy, psychological assessments, and consultations.
As we mentioned earlier, we will continue to update this list so that you know about all the virtual health resources available to you. If you know of a resource that we haven’t listed here, please email benefits@humi.ca so we can keep a comprehensive list for Canadians.
Learn more with Humi
For more information on how you can prioritize your mental and physical health in wake of COVID-19, check out the resources below:
- For everything you need to know about employee mental health, watch Mental Health in the Workplace – Everything Employers Need to Know
- If you’re anxious about heading back to the office after the pandemic, watch How to manage your mental health when returning to the office
- To learn more about mental health in the wake of COVID-19, read our May 2021 issue of Beyond Benefits – A conversation with mental health expert, Inkblot Therapy, and get on our mailing list here
- For self-care ideas, check out our recent collab with Phyxable, read 7 ways to practice self-care today (and everyday)
