Telemental Health offers real-time client care via secure videoconferencing.
Intended For
Adults 18 years of age or older who are seeking assessment or consultation in general psychiatry via videoconference.
Referral Requirements:
Physician referral required. Please download the form and call your doctor.
Additional Referral Details
If clients meet the criteria, a referral must be sent on a CAMH referral form, including telepsychiatry referral cover sheet.
Inclusion Criteria
clients must be 18 years of age or older
clients looking for an assessment or consultation in general psychiatry
clients must be referred by a physician or nurse practitioner with an active licence and OHIP billing number
clients must be willing to participate via videoconference (OTN)
preferred OTN Site information must be provided in referral
Exclusion Criteria
clients 17 years of age or younger
clients in crisis who require immediate care
clients currently being followed by a psychiatrist
clients seeking: assessment for legal purposes (i.e., psychiatric assessments recommended by legal team representing the patient or prosecution); psychiatric assessments recommended by employer; and psychiatric assessments to resolve disputes at work
clients who refuse to participate via videoconference
real-time consultation for client care via secure videoconferencing
Program Overview
Telepsychiatry, one of the services in the Telemental Health program, is a modality of care that delivers real-time client care via secure videoconferencing. This innovative and effective mode of health services delivery bridges geographical disparities and improves access to psychiatric care. Consultations typically take place in health care facilities including hospitals, primary care clinics, and community-based mental health facilities; they utilize a secure telecommunications connection through the Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN).
The CAMH Telepsychiatry Service provides consultation and assessment for general psychiatry, whereby clients are placed on a waitlist to be assessed by the first available psychiatrist. CAMH Telepsychiatry has also partnered directly with Family Health Teams to provide both direct and indirect client care, as well as with Keewaytinook Okimakanak Telemedicine (KOTM) to provide care to clients in numerous First Nations communities in Ontario.
Clients must be notified that the consultation will take place via videoconference. Our Telepsychiatry Service is NOT a crisis service. Clients who are experiencing a mental health crisis should go to their nearest emergency department.
Ongoing treatment or therapy is not currently offered through the Telemental Health program.
CAMH is a teaching hospital committed to research in the field of mental health and addictions. As part of our ongoing efforts to improve client care and program development, CAMH Telepsychiatry may invite clients to participate in research and quality improvement initiatives.
For additional information about our Telepsychiatry Service, please click here.
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