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The University of Regina’s Online Therapy Unit is getting a boost for its Internet-delivered Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (ICBT).
The provincial government announced Monday it’s providing $400,000 in additional funding for the ICBT, expanding its capacity to screen and deliver treatment to people with mental health and addictions issues in Saskatchewan.
“We are pleased to provide this investment boost to the ICBT program and better address the growing demand for this innovative service,” Everett Hindley, the province’s minister for mental health and addictions, said in a media release.
“This online resource offers a convenient, easy way to access mental health and addictions treatment and support from anywhere in the province, including rural and remote areas.”
The government said more than 13,000 people have used ICBT’s free services since 2013.
According to the release, the Online Therapy Unit offers online treatment to Saskatchewan residents experiencing depression, anxiety, substance misuse or difficulties coping with chronic health conditions. Screening is done by the Online Therapy Unit and, if the service is appropriate, a person matched to a therapist to begin treatment.
“Adults complete educational modules with therapist support to learn about their condition and strategies to cope,” the release said. “They can review online material from the location of their choice, at their convenience and reach out to a therapist at any time through a secure system.”
The provincial government is investing a total of more than $1.6 million in the service in 2023-24. The province has put around $9 million into the program since it launched in 2015.
“The Online Therapy Unit team is thrilled with this investment to help us to continue to provide, improve, and expand our effective and convenient internet-delivered, cognitive behavioural therapy programs to Saskatchewan residents,” Dr. Heather Hadjistavropoulos, a psychology professor at the University of Regina and the director of the Online Therapy Unit, said in the release.
“Our clients tell us they prefer this method of mental health care and get incredible results that improve their mental health and well-being. This funding ensures that our services will now be able to benefit even more Saskatchewan residents.”
More information on the service is available here.