Ontario's Ministry of Health identified Mental Health Addictions (MHA) services as essential, allowing them to continue to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ministry of Health is encouraging MHA service providers, including occupational therapists working in this area, to continue to provide services, where possible, to new and existing clients. On May 9, 2020 it issued
guidance to MHA service providers to help aid safe practice.
The government has not amended or revoked the Chief Medical Officer of Health’s Directive #2 which provides that non-essential and elective health services must be stopped or reduced to minimal levels; with only urgent and essential care to clients being allowed to continue. Occupational therapists continue to be in the best position to exercise their clinical judgment to determine what is urgent and what is essential in relation to the clients they serve.
If you have further questions about this, contact our practice line at 1.800.890.6570 ext. 240, or
[email protected], or visit our
COVID-19 web page.