The World of Tomorrow –
May 1, 2020 – The coronavirus pandemic has forced people who need treatment for addictions and mental illnesses to go from in-person therapy sessions and group meetings to phone calls and video conferencing.
In some ways, providing care over the phone has worked well, according to organizations that provide the services. Parents don’t have to arrange for childcare, and clinics can set up calls for the same times they used to hold therapy sessions.
But the technology won’t work well for everyone, including young children, people who don’t have a private place to talk, and people who are homeless or can’t afford phones. The current situation is worrying for advocates, who note psychiatric patients have historically suffered lack of access to care.
