Telehealth Services for Mental Health During COVID-19 Pandemic

This project investigates the strategies employed by mental health care agencies in Australia to support clients during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a specific focus on telehealth services. The study explores the background of the pandemic, its impact on mental health, and the role of various agencies. It aims to analyze how these agencies adapted to provide care remotely, examining the benefits and barriers associated with telehealth. The research includes a literature review covering the concept of the pandemic, its effects on mental well-being, and the different mental health care agencies available. The project also assesses the ways in which agencies administer support to clients, incorporating study questions to guide the analysis. Recommendations for future developments are also provided, with a conclusion summarizing the findings and the importance of telehealth in mental health support during crises. This project provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of mental health care and the critical role of technology in delivering accessible and effective support, especially during challenging times such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Project
1

Contents
TITLE: “How mental health care agencies provide support to clients during the pandemic like
COVID 19. A study on telehealth service provided by mental health”...........................................3
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
Background of study...............................................................................................................3
Aim of study...........................................................................................................................4
Objectives of study.................................................................................................................4
Study Questions......................................................................................................................4
Problem statement..................................................................................................................4
Scope of study........................................................................................................................5
LITERETURE REVIEW.................................................................................................................5
Concept of COVID 19 pandemic and its impact on mental health of people........................5
Different mental health care agencies in Australia.................................................................7
Benefits and barriers of telehealth services............................................................................9
The way mental health care agencies administer support to clients during COVID 19
pandemic...............................................................................................................................11
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS.....................................................13
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................14
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................15
2

TITLE: “How mental health care agencies provide support to clients during the
pandemic like COVID 19. A study on telehealth service provided by mental
health”
INTRODUCTION
Background of study
As many cases of corona virus increase continuously all across the globe, anxiety and
stress around the virus has also increased alongside it. Organisations all over the world are now
executing emergency and precautionary measures in order to help in slow down the rate through
which the disease is spread and flatten the curve of coronavirus. They take measures to minimise
incidence of cases and put efforts to protect the health of public (Smith & Jung, 2020).
Employers are suited uniquely to support mental wellbeing of their team during the uncertainty
associated with spread of covid-19 pandemic as most of the working professionals spend much
of their time at work. Apart from this, there are some mental health care agencies which provide
support two people during spread of covid-19 pandemic and help them in improving their mental
wellbeing. The main aim of these agencies is to minimise stigma of mental illness as well as
spread helpful and accurate information regarding issues associated with mental health and
promoting mental wellness.
This study intent to assess how mental health care agencies administer support to people at
the time of spread of corona virus pandemic. It considers TeleHealth Services which offers
necessary care services to people and at the same time, minimize the risk of transmission of
corona virus to patients and health care personnel. The services use information and
communication technology so as to transmit health related information and deliver health care
services over short and long distances (Myers, 2019). This report covers information about
concept of corona virus pandemic and its effect on mental health of people along with different
mental health care agencies. It also covers benefits and barriers of telehealth services and the
way mental health care agencies render support to people during pandemic situation.
3

Aim of study
The main aim of conducting this study is “To analyse the way mental health care agencies
provide support to clients during the pandemic like COVID 19. A study on telehealth service
provided by mental health”
Objectives of study
1. To understand the concept of COVID 19 pandemic and its impact on mental health of people.
2. To identify the different mental health care agencies in Australia.
3. To determine the benefits and barriers of telehealth services.
4. To assess the way mental health care agencies render support to clients during the pandemic
like COVID 19.
Study Questions
1. What is the concept of COVID 19 pandemic and its impact on mental health of people?
2. Which are the different mental health care agencies in Australia that provide support services
to people in improving their health condition?
3. What are the benefits and barriers of telehealth services?
4. How mental health care agencies render support to clients during the pandemic like COVID
19?
Problem statement
This study aims to analyse the way mental health care agencies provide support to clients
during the pandemic like COVID 19. The spread of covid-19 pandemic creates huge impact on
the mental health of people. it leads the people towards anxiety and stress which ultimate impact
on their daily life. There are some mental health care agencies in Australia which provide
support to patients during the pandemic to overcome the stress and anxiety they face because of
the disease (Newman, Bidargaddi & Schrader, 2016). The telehealth services are provided to the
people by making use of telecommunication technologies which allowed the communication
between clinician and patient and help in overcoming the location barriers as well as bridging the
gap between doctors and patients. For addressing the issue of Mental Health during spread of
corona virus pandemic, a study on telehealth services administered by mental health care agency
is conducted.
4

Scope of study
The current study is having a wide scope that comprises of better understanding about the
concept of COVID 19 pandemic along with evaluating its impact on mental health of people so
that better care and support can be render to these individuals and patients. Further, identification
of the different mental health care agencies along with benefits and barriers of Telehealth
services also form vital part of scope of current study which provides enhanced knowledge about
the way in which Telehealth services are useful and beneficial to provided needed health care
services during the time of Global pandemic (Lepkowsky, 2020). Apart from this, assessment of
the way adopted by the mental health care agencies is also comprises of scope of current
investigation which provided information regarding the support of metal health agencies for its
clients during the pandemic like COVID 19 to reduce and overcome the issue of depression and
other mental illness during the time of a pandemic.
LITERETURE REVIEW
Concept of COVID 19 pandemic and its impact on mental health of people
As per the view point of Carroll, (2020), Corona virus pandemic is referred as the global
health crisis and is greatest challenge facing by the world. Since the emergence of virus in Asia,
it has spread to each and every continent except Antarctica. Around 1 million deaths are
happened due to the virus and families are suffering from an intolerable burden of loss. This
pandemic is more than health crisis; it is an unprecedented socio economic crisis. It is an
infectious disease which stressing each one of the nation it touches, and has potential to develop
devastating political, economic and social effects which will leave long standing and deep scars.
Due to spread of corona virus pandemic, people are losing their income and jobs every day and it
is not known that when normality will return. The small island countries which heavily rely on
tourism have empty deserted beaches and hotels. It has been estimated by the International
Labour Organisation that around 400 million jobs can be lost (Moreau & et. al., 2018).
COVID 19 is an ongoing pandemic of 2019 which is caused by severe acute respiratory
syndrome corona virus 2. The infection was initially identified in December, 2019 in China. As
of now, there are around over 38.1 million confirmed cases have been found along with over
1.08 million deaths due to corona virus pandemic (Morland & et. al., 2017). It most often spreads
when individual is close physically and spreads easily and sustainably by air via small droplets
5

present in the air by breathing, sneezing, coughing and talking of infected person. Apart from
this, the infection may also be transmitted through contaminated surfaces. The common
symptoms of the disease include breathing difficulties, fever, loss of smell, cough and fatigue
and its complications may involve acute respiratory distress syndrome and pneumonia.
As per the view point of Priya Chidambaram, (2020), the spread of corona virus pandemic
and resulting economic recession have adversely influence the mental health of many people and
developed new barriers for individuals who are already suffering from mental health disorders
and substance use. Due to this, stress and worry increases and many adults feel difficulty in
sleeping, worsening chronic conditions, difficulty in eating and increased consumption of
alcohol or substance use resulted to spread of coronavirus. As the pandemic is ongoing and
public health measures expose various individuals to experiencing situations related to outcomes
of poor mental health such as job loss and isolation. Poor mental health is linked with loneliness
and social isolation during pandemic which may present particular mental health risks for older
adults and household with adolescents (The Implications of COVID-19 for Mental Health and
Substance Use, 2020). Apart from this, due to job loss of many people, the anxiety, distress,
depression and low self-esteem increases and lead to high rates of suicide and substance use
disorder. It has been found in the research that over half of the individuals who lost employment
and income reported adverse impacts on mental health from stress and worry over coronavirus
and in comparison to people with high income group, the lower income group people reported
high rate of adverse mental health impacts.
As per the view point of World Health Organisation, as covid-19 pandemic rapidly spread
all over the world, a considerable amount of concern, worry and fear is inducing by it among the
people at large and among specific group of people like care providers, individuals with
underlying health issues and older adults. In the terms of Mental Health, the main psychological
influence is elevated rates of anxiety or stress. But, the introduction of new measures and
impacts - especially quarantine and its influence on usual routine, activities and livelihoods of
people - level of depression, loneliness, harmful drug and alcohol use, suicidal behaviour and
self-harm are also expected to increase (Mental health and COVID-19, 2020).
As per the opinion of G Serafini and et. al., (2020), due to outbreak of corona virus the
social activities are restricted and the movement of people were prohibited, while the hospital
receives thousands of patients and are used to execute emergency protocol. In relation to this, the
6

frontline health care workers and general population became vulnerable to emotional influence
of corona virus infection because of pandemic as well as its consequences all over the world.
This resulted into many psychological issues and the most common reactions associated with
quarantine are pervasive community anxiety and generalized fear which are related to outbreak
of disease and rise with escalation of new cases collectively with anxiety provoking and
inadequate information provided by media. The mental health impact to corona virus may differ
from panic behaviour to desperation and pervasive feelings of hopelessness which are related to
adverse outcomes involving suicidal behaviour (The psychological impact of COVID-19 on the
mental health in the general population, 2020).
Different mental health care agencies in Australia
In Australia, there are different Mental Health Care Agencies available which provides
their services to improve mental health of people. The country has around 200 counsellors and
psychotherapists on national directory who are assisting people every day in their clinics and
private practices. The mental health care organisations doing incredible work to minimise mental
illness stigma and spread helpful and appropriate information regarding the issues associated
with mental health and also promote mental wellness of people (Henry & et. al., 2020). There are
some key mental health agencies in Australia which works towards improving mental health and
wellbeing of people. Some of them are provided below:
Headspace: In Australia, it is a National Youth Mental Health Foundation that renders
timely intervention for issues related to mental health for young kids who are aged 12 to
adulthood. The people who seek assistance and support regarding mental health issues can take
help of this website. Headspace delivered the services which covers important part of daily life
activities of a person which have direct impact on his or her physical and mental functionality.
The foundation also render support for people who suffer from drug addiction and alcohol and
help people to become effective members of society or community by a study and work program
which will keep away a youth from addiction (Lurie & Carr,2018).
Tele-Health: It is an agency which has been involved in providing safe care services to
people during spread of corona virus pandemic. The organisation offers services which can help
in meeting the risk associated with virus by following measures like social distancing. In order to
reduce the risk of virus, the safer options like HCP is explored by the agency. The organisation
7

provides people with the knowledge regarding how to be fit and active physically and engaged in
regular exercises so that mental stress and depression faced by many people during pandemic
circumstance can be decline and stay fit and healthy mentally and physically during the situation
(Cortelyou-Ward, Rotarius, & Honrado, 2018).
Mental health Australia: It is the institution which educates people regarding mental
issues and works in altering the perception of public regarding individuals who are mentally not
well in order to decline negative stereotypes regarding mental illness. The individuals who are
suffering from mental health issues disadvantaged as well as are subjected to social stigma. The
mental illness stigma is one of the prejudices against individuals who are suffering from mental
illness. Mental Health Australia provide support to those individuals and works towards
changing the perception of people to reduce negative stereotypes (Tyson, Brammer & McIntosh,
2019).
Grow: It is one of the organisation that have few professionals who directly work with
individuals who was suffering from mental health related issues. The approach which is used by
Grow to address the mental health problems of patient is distinct from the approach which others
use. The organisation starts its services by mutual help, support from community and friendship.
It believes that through using experiences of a person in assisting mentally ill client to recover
from mental alignment. This provide an advantage to the patient to learn from those individuals
who have similar issues. In the similar way, the individual is also enable to learn more from
client. The approach which is used by the organisation will be helpful for both the individuals in
order to reach their full potential.
Mind Australia: This organisation is one of the leading Mental Health Care providers in
southern part of Australia and in Victoria. It provides support to patient to live independently
instead of their mental issues as well as help them to their full recovery. The main purpose of the
organisation is to assist individuals to become productive as well as live purposeful lives. It
emphasizes on providing patients with fulfilling and meaningful life experiences and by having
diverse approach to address mental health issues, the organisation remove the hurdles faced by
clients due to their mental illness and support them in their recovery (Danesh & et. al., 2019).
Lifeline: It is a charity in Australia whose main purpose is to save lives of people by
offering them with support during the crisis as well as stop the rising number of deaths because
of suicide. It provides information and support services 24/7 online and if an individual need
8

support then he or she can chat for getting direct support during the crisis. The group also render
some downloadable materials which have link to services associated with mental health issues.
Apart from this, it provides financial assistance in order to enhance Mental Health Services
through partnering with MLC foundation. The organisation also has hotline and any of the
struggling Australian can use it to call at the time of emergency or crisis (The 30 Top Mental
Health Organisations in Australia, 2020).
Benefits and barriers of telehealth services
The Telehealth services are mainly associated with the distribution of health care and related
services and information through making use of some electronic information and
telecommunication technologies like smart phones, computer and other monitoring devices. As
per the information provided by the Smith, L.J. & Jung, L.C., (2020), the main benefit and
advantage of Telehealth services comprises of allowing long-distance patient and clinician
contact and overcome barriers of location and bridge the gap between patient and doctors. In
context of current global pandemic of COVID-19 the role and benefits of Telehealth services are
get more enhanced and vital as they are delivering information and support care for patients and
other old and young individuals to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 virus. The main benefits and
advantages associated with the Telehealth services are provided below:
Increases access to care – The one of the biggest benefit of Telehealth services is comprises
of fact that it has increased access to health care through removing and overcoming barrier of
locations and provide a global access for health care facilities. It has been evaluated that the time
and distance involved in travelling between patients and care providers is a big limitation and
hampers the access of care where fortunately Telehealth care services overcome that
geographical barrier through providing a much easier way to connect with the care providers.
Thus, Telehealth care services fills the gap between patient and doctors by allowing connectivity
with the help of electronic information and telecommunication technologies provide instant
Primary care, Specialist referral services, Remote patient monitoring, Consumer medical and
health information and Medical education (Myers, 2019).
Reduces healthcare costs- A vital role is played by Telehealth services in reducing the
expenses of caring for patients along with eliminating transporting cost to another location and
even ensures keeping patients out of the hospital to minimize and reduce the other operating and
9

administration expenses. Thus, cost efficiency is also a vital and important benefit of Telehealth
services through providing a better alternative for patients to connect with doctors without an in-
office visit to clinic or hospital. Telehealth services save both time and money of patients and
doctors as saves patient time of sitting in the waiting rooms and travelling to the clinics.
Telehealth services are beneficial for doctors also as it leads to virtual appointment booking and
online billing system which saves both time and money spend on administration and other
business operations (Newman, Bidargaddi & Schrader, 2016). Apart from this, offering virtual
visits and follow up vitas are also become more easy and cost efficient with the help of
Telehealth services.
Improves patient engagement and satisfaction- Implication and use of Telehealth services
makes it easier and convenient for the patients to remain in instant connect with their doctors and
health care to stay healthy. The high level of convenience and flexibility provided by the use of
Telehealth services enhanced the level of satisfaction among patients and motivates them to stay
fit and healthy through offering continuous information and health tips. Saving of patient time
and money spend in travailing and waiting rooms also enhance the quality of the services
provided to ensure better engagement and higher satisfaction in patients. Apart from thus, online
booking method and virtual visits also reduces the chances of late appointment and streamline
appointment schedule through avoiding wastage of time which improves patient engagement and
satisfaction (Lepkowsky, 2020).
Apart from having all these benefits some barriers are also associated with Telehealth
services. As per the view point Myers, C.R., (2019), Complexity of implementation and use,
Disadvantages as compared to face-to-face interactions along with problems of lack of existing
infrastructure and limited access to advance Equipment and Technology are the most common
issues and barriers associated with the Telehealth services. A better evaluation and analysis of
the most common barriers of Telehealth services are provided below:
Physical Examination is Limited – The foremost barrier of Telehealth services comprises of
the fact that face to face interaction and physical analysis of patient is not provided by the
Telehealth services which limits the scope of treatment. Thus, it become more difficult and
challenging for doctors to examine the actual cause and provided effective treatment to
employees.
10

Lack of advance Telemedicine Equipment and Technology- The another barrier which
hampers the Telehealth services comprises of lack of proper infrastructures and facilitates to
provide emote health services, including chronic patient monitoring, therapy appointments, and
post-operative care. Further, insufficiency in skills and competencies to make use of electronic
information and telecommunication technologies is also a barrier which hampers the quality and
level of services offered to patients (Moreau & et. al., 2018).
Regulatory and Industry Barriers- The Telehealth services are associated with providing
treatment and heath care to individuals which directly impacts their health and well thus, various
regulatory and industrial barriers are also faced by Telehealth care to maintain the safety and
wellbeing of patients. It has been evaluated that the many problems like lack of interoperability
in EHR systems and proper medical and health care equipment can sometimes further complicate
the use of telemedicine which act a barrier for patients and doctors while making use of
Telehealth service (Cortelyou-Ward, Rotarius, & Honrado, 2018).
The way mental health care agencies administer support to clients during COVID 19 pandemic
As per the information provided by Lepkowsky, C.M., (2020), it has been analysed that
mental health care agencies render support to clients during the pandemic like COVID 19
through acting as a frontline for ensuring promotive, preventative and treatment services during
COVID-19 to ensure the health and well-being of the people they serve. Further, it has been
observed that use of Telehealth services is made by many health care agencies to Expand Access
to Essential Health Services during the COVID-19 Pandemic. It has been observed the during
this global pandemic of COVID-19 issues relayed with depression and anxiety has increased
because of staying at home and lack of social interaction and exercise. At that times the
Telehealth services is the most vital and attractive way to render support and metal health care to
clients to cope up with and fight against this global pandemic. Use of various strategies and ways
are made by mental health care agencies to render support to clients during the pandemic like
COVID 19 which consists of making use of several advance Telehealth modalities to allow
better HCP and connect effective with the patient through use of technology (Morland & et. al.,
2017). The main ways and techniques utilised by mental health care to get connected with
patients and individuals to render support and motivation to cope up with depression and other
metal issues are discussed as below:
11

Synchronous- This technique or way comprises of a real time telephonic or audio –video
interaction between an individuals and mental health acre through making use of Smartphone,
tables or other electronic devices. This, way of Synchronous Telehealth services leads to a direct
interaction between patients and individuals to discuss and solve their mental issues and also
provide support to take them out from felling of depression and anxiety.
Asynchronous- This technique mainly includes a store and forward technology where some
directive and motivated video, image or data could be shared by the doctors at one point of time
which can be communicated and transferred to patients to motivate and direct them for
maintaining safety needs and also providing them required training related to how to reduce the
impact of corona virus (Henry & et. al., 2020).
Thus, it can be evaluated that through the use of Telehealth services all the support and care
is provided to the patients’ clients during the pandemic like COVID 19 to motivate and direct
them to overcome this threat. At further, analysis can be made that to ensure reduction in the
anxiety and stress level of individual at global level effective support is provided by mental
health care organisation through providing all required guidelines to maintain safety and their
hygiene to remain safe from negative impact of hazardous disease and virus. Further, proper
online training and precautionary modules are also lead by mental health care organisation to
prevent spread of COVID-19 along with leading and setting out positive vibes and thoughts in
individuals to cope up them from feeling of stress and anxiety. Further, the main role and ways
adopted by metal health organisation to support individuals during the time of this global
pandemic consists of Screening the patients who may have symptoms of COVID-19 and
referring all appropriate precaution and medicines (Lurie & Carr,2018). Further, providing a
low-risk urgent care for non-COVID-19 conditions along with identifying those persons who
may need additional medical consultation or assessment, and refer as appropriate is also an
effective way to support individuals.
Beside this, as per the view point of Lurie, N., & Carr, B. G. (2018), it has been also
evaluated that the mental health care agencies render support to clients during the pandemic like
COVID 19 by the way of Accessing primary care providers and specialists along with providing
effective mental and behavioural health information in order to set a control and check for
chronic health conditions of patients so that better medication management can be offered for
needed patients. Apart from this, providing coaching and required support for patients for
12