Telehealth is an Effective Option for Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Although the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has necessitated online therapy, telehealth services have been around for some time. To slow the spread of COVID-19, you may want to consider meeting with your therapist through a secure, encrypted video service or hard-wired phone line.

How Does Telehealth Work?

Telehealth sessions can be held one-on-one or in group settings. Individual or group therapy is a wonderful way to defeat feelings of isolation, which can worsen substance use disorders. You may feel especially alone in light of stay-at-home orders and social distancing but “seeing” your peers and/or your therapist can help you process and overcome this feeling together.

At October Road, we use online platforms like BlueJeans and Zoom to ensure you get the maximum connectivity and benefit from your session.

What About Safety and Security?

All telehealth software is HIPPA-compliant and protects your Personal Health Information (PHI) with advanced cybersecurity and encryption technology. As always, the mental health professionals you speak to will keep your information confidential.

During a telehealth session, the data you and your therapist send back and forth is translated into an unreadable coding language that only you and your therapist can gain access to online. Even skilled hackers cannot infiltrate the video and audio you share, particularly with recognized platforms like BlueJeans and Zoom.

What If My Home Isn’t Safe?

Many patients are less concerned about online privacy than they are about privacy in their own homes. If you do not feel comfortable discussing your mental health in your home, telehealth may not be the best option for you.

Call us at (888) 201-5086 to discuss admissions.

If you are not feeling safe due to domestic violence, please contact the national domestic violence hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).

Discuss Your Options

While telehealth provides mental health services that adhere to social distancing requirements and slow the spread of COVID-19, choosing whether or not to proceed online or by phone is entirely your decision.

That being said, our highly trained staff members are here to help you make whatever choice is right for you.

Call us at (888) 201-5086 today or get help online now.

*For the most up-to-date information about COVID-19, please consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

**If you are having a mental health emergency, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357)