Bell Let’s Talk, in association with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), has announced a new, interactive mental health portal online that connects health and community service providers to the latest clinical resources and information about treating mental illness. In addition, a new Psychiatry in Primary Care app for iOS has been launched as well.
While the online portal was originally designed for healthcare professionals, it is equally accessible for anyone looking for evidence-based information about addiction and other mental illnesses. “Most Canadians access healthcare exclusively through a primary care setting, be it a physician’s office or a family health team,” said Dr. David Goldbloom, co-editor of Psychiatry in Primary Care and Senior Medical Advisor at CAMH.
The dedicated primary care app for psychiatry offers a suite of products designed to support family doctors and front line practitioners in rapid assessment and treatment options for mental illness.
First developed in 2011 as a popular paper pocket guide, CAMH experts have created a mobile app version of Psychiatry in Primary Care with built-in assessment guides, diagnostic criteria and customizable toolkits. Through the app, users can connect back to the Portico network to access more detailed information about treatment options and best practices. Key clinical topics include suicide risk assessment and diagnosing and treating illnesses such as depression, psychosis, substance use and personality disorders.
“The Psychiatry in Primary Care app will help guide primary care providers to better diagnose and treat their patients,” said Dr. Goldbloom.
Approximately 20% of patient visits to primary care practitioners in Ontario are related to mental health.
For every text, wireless and long distance call made by Bell customers on January 27, or for every tweet using #BellLetsTalk, and every Facebook share of the Bell Let’s Talk Day on Facebook, Bell will donate 5 cents to support Canadian mental health programs.
