Pandemic December: How to stay connected and resilient in a COVID-19 holiday season

This year’s holiday season will no doubt be different. The holidays are already a time of increased mental health risks because of anxiety, depression, seasonal affective disorder, alcohol/substance use and other factors. Now, the COVID-19 pandemic will add a major pressure to the festive season.

Whether you mark holidays in December or not, typical winter customs are being disrupted. The pandemic has had a significant impact on society’s ability to connect and has also reduced individuals’ access to wellness-maintaining strategies and activities. …

Read the full article by Kerri Ritchie and Caroline Gerin-Lajoie here: (https://theconversation.com/pandemic-december-how-to-stay-connected-and-resilient-in-a-covid-19-holiday-season-150678


Report by the Organizations for Health Action (HEAL) focus on Beyond COVID-19 (November 2020)

The Organizations for Health Action (HEAL), of which CPA is a founding member, released policy paper Beyond Covid-19: HEAL’s Recommendations for a Healthier Nation which offers recommendations to the federal government in the areas of pandemic readiness, seniors’ health and mental health.  Dr. Karen Cohen (CPA CEO) and Glenn Brimacombe (CPA Director, Policy and Public Affairs) actively participated in the writing of this report.

At the same time, HEAL released its COVID-19 Survey Summary, which identified three key areas that members are concerned with on a daily basis: (1) access to proper resources including space and information; (2) exposure to the virus and access to personal protective equipment (PPE); and (3) the mental health of providers.


Report by the Royal Society of Canada on COVID-19, Mental Health and the Federal Role (October 2020)

The report Easing the Disruption of COVID-19: Supporting the Mental Health of the People of Canada by a working group of the Royal Society of Canada was released in October 2020 and contains 21 recommendations, largely focused on the federal role in supporting/investing in mental health.  Several of CAMIMH’s recommendations from its Mental Health Action Plan were incorporated into the document.  Mr. Glenn Brimacombe (CPA Director, Policy and Public Affairs), in addition to some members of the CPA, served on the working group.


Psychological First Aid for Frontline Health Care Providers During COVID-19: A Quick Guide to Wellness

Prepared by
Dr. Mélanie Joanisse, C.Psych.
Clinical and Health Psychologist

Psychological First Aid for Frontline Health Care Providers During COVID-19: A Quick Guide to Wellness (PDF)

Disclaimer: the tools provided in this workbook are not intended to be viewed as a replacement for psychological services provided by a trained professional. Please seek professional help if needed.


“Psychology Works” Fact Sheet: Why Does Culture Matter to COVID-19?

Pandemics are complex dynamic systems that shift and change over time due to the influence of a huge and interacting set of variables. Cultural contexts, although they tend to change more slowly, are similarly complex. Research on cultural processes unfolding under pandemic conditions is therefore fraught with uncertainty. Nonetheless, thanks to research conducted during and […]

Audio Update: Dr. Heather Prime on Risk and Resilience in Family Well-Being during COVID-19

Dr. Heather Prime and two colleagues collaborated on a paper called “Risk and Resilience in Family Well-Being during the COVID-19 Pandemic”. They turned to previous crises (natural disasters, economic crashes, etc) to better understand where families are at and may be headed during COVID-19. You can find their paper here: psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2020-34995-001.html


CDC: Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19

CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.

CDC also advises the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others. Cloth face coverings fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost can be used as an additional, voluntary public health measure.

Use of Cloth Face Coverings during Pandemic: Wearing, Maintaining and Making Cloth Face Coverings


“Psychology Works” Fact Sheet: Research Funding Information as relates to COVID-19

Canada’s COVID-related Research Support Public health emergencies such as COVID-19 affect the lives of people, families and communities. In early March, the Government of Canada announced an investment of more than $275 million in funding for research on measures to combat COVID-19. Of this investment, $27 million was allocated to research through the three federal […]

“Psychology Works” Fact Sheet: Guidance for Psychology Students as Relates to COVID-19

As the COVID-19 situation evolves around the globe, students’ day-to-day lives are being increasingly disrupted: courses have been moved from in-person settings to online formats; visits with friends and families have been prohibited; access to resources such as the on-campus library, student counselling services, or other campus spaces has been lost; some students have had […]

“Psychology Works” Fact Sheet: Guidance for Psychology Faculty and Researchers as Relates to COVID-19

COVID-19 is not only impacting everyday life; it is also impacting faculty and research teams in many ways, from how to transition to online classes, how to work and best support students remotely, how to adapt current research projects while ensuring the welfare and safety of research subjects, and how to pay salaries/stipends and other […]

Information Fact Sheet: COVID-19 Government Support for Employees

During the current Covid-19 Pandemic, a number of Canadian Governments have announced programs designed to support employers, with the specific goal of mitigating some of the economic consequences of Canada’s response to small business. As a result of social distancing and other policies, economic activity in Canada has dramatically slowed.  This has resulted in financial […]

Information Fact Sheet: COVID-19 Government Support for Employers

During the current COVID-19 Pandemic, a number of Federal, Provincial and Territorial  governments have announced programs designed to support employers, with the specific goal of mitigating some of the economic consequences on Canada’s  small businesses. As a result of social distancing and other policies, economic activity in Canada has dramatically slowed.  This has resulted in […]

Audio Update: Dr. Karen Cohen on advocacy during COVID-19

Daily Audio Update: Dr. Karen Cohen on advocacy during COVID-19
Quick chat with CPA CEO Dr. Karen Cohen about advocacy during COVID-19. Calling for insurers to cover tele-psychology, and drop the requirements for a physician referral for psychological services.


“Psychology Works” Fact Sheet:  Emotional and Psychological Challenges Faced by Frontline Health Care Providers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

This is a time of tremendous uncertainty and change as the world faces the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. While some stressors are universal, frontline health care providers also face unique challenges in terms of physical risk, as well as emotional and psychological toll during this time of heightened, prolonged medical demand. The information that […]

“Psychology Works” Fact Sheet: Helping Teens Cope with the Impacts of and Restrictions Related to COVID-19

Adolescents are likely to be strongly affected by public health emergencies such as the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Public health directives to reduce transmission have likely meant cancellations of organized sport teams and recreational activities, missed celebrations, cancelled school trips, reduced or lost employment, loss of opportunities to socially engage with peers, and loss of in-class […]

Joint statement from APA, CPA, APPIC, and ASPPB regarding the impact of COVID-19 on psychology training in North America.

Education & Training in Health Service Psychology – COVID-19 – Joint Statement Updated 3-19-2020

The Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC), the American Psychological Association (APA), the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) and the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) have received questions and concerns from programs and students concerned about how COVID-19 will impact their training experiences and if it will impact their completion of degree requirements. The range of ever-changing information, sometimes conflicting, from different organizations in which psychology graduate students train throughout the U.S. and Canada has contributed to increasing anxiety. …

Click here for the full statement


“Psychology Works” Fact Sheet: Psychological Impacts of the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Infectious diseases, like any life stressor, challenge the way we cope. Whether we learn about them on television or experience them personally, we can feel upset, fearful and anxious as a result, both for our own personal safety and that of our family, friends, colleagues, and community. Stressful events can also bring up feelings and […]

“Psychology Works” Fact Sheet: Psychological Practice and the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

COVID-19 has demonstrated profound impact on the health of individuals and communities and on the delivery of health services, at precisely the time when health services are what individuals need, both for their physical and mental health.  Health care leaders and governments are advising and requiring changes to all manner of services so that face-to-face […]

“Psychology Works” Fact Sheet: Coping with and Preventing COVID-19

What is COVID-19? COVID-19 is a new coronavirus that is rapidly spreading throughout the world. According to the WHO, it is classified as a pandemic. Most people (80%) experience mild symptoms, although the virus is most harmful to seniors (over 65 years of age) and people with compromised immune systems (e.g., with cancer, chronic inflammatory […]

Corona Virus – COVID-19 Public Resources & Member Messages

As the impact of COVID-19 is being felt worldwide, we recognize the pressure this evolving crisis is placing on students, educators, teachers, supervisors and practitioners of psychology throughout Canada. On behalf of the CPA, we extend our gratitude for the leadership roles so many of you are playing in your communities and your efforts to […]

PSYCHOLOGY WORKS Fact Sheet: Teens and Screens

Effects of Screen Use

It is well-known that screen use, and social media, are particularly interwoven into the lives of adolescents in modern society. Due to early access to smartphones, design features meant to keep youth on games and sites, and adolescents’ affinity for feedback from their peers, it is difficult to monitor their screen use and the impact on their mental health. Like younger children, teens who spend a great deal of time on screens tend to spend less time doing healthy activities that promote their development, such as socializing in-person, exercising, and reaching their academic potential. While technology provides access to helpful information, tools to get things done, and entertainment, it can also have a negative impact on teens. Here is a sample of some of the most common effects we have discovered so far:

  • Social media can support connection and sense of community, particularly for youth who feel marginalized.
  • Video game use can provide positive socialization and improve some cognitive skills.
  • Excessive, problematic, or passive viewing such as scrolling, is associated with:
    • symptoms of depression and/or anxiety
    • reduced self-esteem
    • sedentary lifestyle and possible weight gain
    • distraction from school
    • addictive use leading to increased interference with daily functioning such as getting enough sleep, eating well, and getting to school on-time

Recommendations for Use

Here are some recommendations to help reduce the likelihood of the negative effects of screen use. Remember, screen and social media use are developmental skills, like many other tasks of adolescence, your teen will make mistakes and need support to learn and grow in this area.

  • First, watch for signs of problematic or excessive use. Examples of signs include:
    • inability to put devices away or unplug
    • not engaging with others in-person and/or social isolation
    • not engaging in physical activities
    • grades dropping or other signs of academic difficulties
    • lying to get more access
    • difficulty sleeping or reduced sleep
  • Because of the serious effects of social media on many young adolescents’ mental health, it is critical to monitor their use of social media – protect from harmful and hateful behaviour.
  • Due to positive social support and sense of connection, do not completely remove access to devices. Instead work towards setting age-appropriate limits both to content and amount of time on screens.
  • As most adolescents are students, it is important to support them in their study habits. For example, teaching them to avoid “digital multi-tasking,” such as surfing while studying by placing their phone away from their study area.

Caregiver Strategies

It can be challenging to know how best to implement screen limits with teens. Here are some parenting strategies that can help:

  • Role model healthy screen behaviour: Caregiver screen use is associated with child screen use and more negative effects.
  • Have whole family, regular screen-free time: Everybody Unplug!
  • Develop proactive structure and limits around screen use. Start when children are young.
  • Teach adolescents social media literacy include who is safe to talk to and what is appropriate to post.
  • Allow screen time only after completing other necessary tasks, for example, homework, physical activity, social activities.
  • As teens display appropriate behaviour, provide intermittent periods of unsupervised access – with time limits and content monitored for young adolescents. Timing and tracking devices may be of use here.
  • Do not extend the screen time in response to protests – validate their feelings of sadness and disappointment, coach them through regulating their emotions if upset and stick to the limit.
  • Learn and practice emotion self-regulation strategies to cope with teen protests, for example, mindfulness, self-compassionate statements, and calm breathing.
  • Teens may need to be reminded that screen and device access is a privilege, not a right and as the adult you are in charge and their well-being in your top priority.
  • As older teens show ability to manage their screen use and literacy, more freedom is earned. Caregivers can gradually reduce content surveillance and screen time limit monitoring.
  • Even with more freedom, check-in monthly to review the rules and how things are going. Praise youth for appropriate behaviour. If signs of problematic use emerge, time and content limits should be reinstated.
  • Make sure to stay calm and approachable around discussing screen use so that teens feel comfortable to come to you if a mistake is made or a rule is broken. It is most helpful if teens come to you so you can problem-solve collaboratively how to move forward in a healthy way.
  • Continue to monitor for signs of cyber-bullying as well as social exclusion. These may be similar to the signs of problematic or excessive screen use described above. Additional signs may include more serious mental health symptoms such as sudden changes to participation in activities, mood, and self-care. Similar to other times when your teen needs help, get involved in an active way, seek out mental health supports if needed, and work with your teen to set-up increased safety protocols using other strategies suggested here.
  • Establish a safety and support protocol so that if they get into a risky situation or an incident occurs (much like “call home if you or your driver is unsafe to drive”) they will connect with you. This way your teen is able to get the timely support they need and problem-solve for the future, rather than hiding/making things worse due to fear of having phone/social media use removed.
  • No screens in the bedroom/overnight (or ensure all notifications are turned off, and overnight usage monitored). Ideally all household electronics (parents too) go to a central location for charging overnight.

Additional Resources

We know that parenting around screen time and digital media use can be hard. Technology and programs are designed to be rewarding and make it hard to stop. Using these strategies will take time and practice but are worth the effort. Below are some additional resources to help. If you are concerned about the mental health and wellbeing of anyone in your family, please seek out additional professional support.

You can consult with a registered psychologist to find out if psychological interventions might be of help to you. Provincial, territorial, and some municipal associations of psychology may make available a referral list of practicing psychologists that can be searched for appropriate services. For the names and coordinates of provincial and territorial associations of psychology, go to  https://cpa.ca/public/whatisapsychologist/PTassociations/.

This fact sheet has been prepared for the Canadian Psychological Association by Dr. Jo Ann Unger, C. Psych. and Dr. Michelle Warren, C. Psych., University of Manitoba.

Revised: May 2025

Your opinion matters! Please contact us with any questions or comments about any of the PSYCHOLOGY WORKS Fact Sheets:  factsheets@cpa.ca


References

American Psychological Association. (2023). Health advisory on social media use in adolescence. https://www.apa.org/topics/social-media-internet/health-advisory-adolescent-social-media-use

Boak, A., Elton-Marshall, T., & Hamilton, H.A. (2022). The well-being of Ontario students: Findings from the 2021 Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey (OSDUHS). Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. https://www.camh.ca/-/media/files/pdf—osduhs/2021-osduhs-report-pdf.pdf

Boers, E., Afzali, M.H., Newton, N., & Conrod, P. (2019). Association of screen time and depression in adolescence. JAMA Pediatrics, 173(9), 853-859. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2019.1759

Boer, M., Stevens, G. W.J.M., Finkenauer, C., de Looze, M. E., & van den Eijnden, R.J.J.M. (2021). Social media use intensity, social media use problems, and mental health among adolescents: Investigating directionality and mediating processes. Computers in Human Behaviour, 116, Article 106645. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2020.106645

Kim, S., Favotto, L., Halladay, J., Wang, L., Boyle, M.H., Georgiades, K. (2020). Differential associations between passive and active forms of screen time and adolescent mood and anxiety disorders. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 55(11), 1469-1478. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-020-01833-9

Li, X., Vanderloo, L.M., Keown-Stoneman, C.D.G., Cost, K.T., Charach, A., Maguire, J.L., Monga, S., Crosbie, J., Burton, C., Anagnostou, E., Georgiades, S., Nicolson, R., Kelley, E., Ayub, M., Korczak, D.J., & Birken, C.S. (2021). Screen use and mental health symptoms in Canadian children and youth during the COVID-19 pandemic. JAMA Network Open, 4(12), Article e2140875.  https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.40875

Li, X., Vanderloo, L.M., Maguire, J.L., Keown-Stoneman, C.D.G., Aglipay, M., Andersons, L.N., Cost, K.T., Charach, A., Vanderhout, S.M., & Birken, C.S. (2021). Public health preventive measures and child health behaviours during COVID-19: A cohort study. Canadian Journal of Public Health, 112, 831-842. https://doi.org/10.17269/s41997-021-00549-w

MediaSmarts. (2022). Young Canadians in a wireless world, phase IV: Life online. https://mediasmarts.ca/sites/default/files/publication-report/full/life-online-report-en-final-11-22.pdf

Ponti, M. (2023). Screen time and preschool children: Promoting health and development in a digital world. Canadian Pediatric Society Digital Health Task Force. https://cps.ca/en/documents/position/screen-time-and-preschool-children#ref14

Toombs, E., Mushquash, C.J., Mah, L., Short, K., Young, H., Cheng, C., Zhu, L., Strudwick, G., Birken, C., Hopkins, J., Korczak, D.J., Perkhun, A., & Born, K.B. (2022). Increased screen time for children and youth during the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 Science Advisory Table. https://doi.org/10.47326/ocsat.2022.03.59.1.0

PSYCHOLOGY WORKS Fact Sheet: Young Kids and Screens

Effects of Screen Use

Children have access to and use technology and electronic devices more than ever before. While technology provides access to helpful information, tools to get things done, and fun entertainment, it can also have negative impacts, particularly for children. This can include replacing other activities needed for healthy growth and development and negatively impacting emotional and social well-being. Here is a sample of some of the most commonly found effects we have discovered so far:

  • While live, dynamic interactions with caring adults are best for children’s development, age-appropriate educational media can also support language, reading, cognitive and social development.
  • Technologies can be used to encourage and compliment physical activity and motor milestones.
  • Although specific uses of digital technology can support some developmental tasks, too much or excessive use is associated with:
    • language delays, lower cognitive abilities, and delayed reading skills
    • reduced emotional self-regulation ability and behaviour problems
    • social skills deficits
    • poorer motor development
    • poor sleep when viewed before bed

Recommendations for Use

Here are some recommendations to make sure kids are not over-exposed to screens, particularly during the early years of brain development:

  • Under 2 Years: No Screen Time.
  • 2-5 Years: Less Than 1 Hour per Day.
  • Currently there are no specific published guidelines for amount of screen use for children over 5 years of age. It is commonly recommended by clinicians that school-aged children not exceed 1 hour of recreational screen time per school day and not over 2-3 hours per weekend day, with flexibility for age and ability level.
  • Some provinces have implemented a “no personal device policy” at school. While research is pending on its effectiveness, this appears to be a useful policy and likely helpful for elementary school-aged children’s overall development and well-being.
  • Short periods of use broken up by whole body movement activities.
  • Avoid screens after 7pm and at least 1 hour before bed.
  • Prioritize educational, age-appropriate, and interactive material – no violent content for younger children. For older children, violent content should be monitored and debriefed with parents.
  • Caregivers be present and engaged while young children are using digital media. This allows for active supervision as well as an opportunity to spend time with and get to know the interests of your children.
  • Turn off screens when not in use. Passive screen use (e.g., TV’s on in the background) has been found to be associated with more negative effects of screen use as described above.

Caregiver Strategies

It can be challenging to know how best to implement screen limits with children. Here are some parenting strategies that can help:

  • Role model healthy screen behaviour: Caregiver screen use is associated with child screen use and more negative effects for children.
  • Have whole family, regular screen-free time: Everybody Unplug!
  • Develop proactive structure and limits around screen use. Timing and tracking devices may be of use here. Start when children are young.
    • Plan ahead for when children will get screen time, so you do not have to decide every time they ask.
    • Understand your child’s screen activity so that you can support them in ending well. Can it be saved at certain points? Does a video length go beyond their time limit? Help them chose the screen activity and be specific around the type of media activity they will use, for example, “surfing” is harder to end and supervise.
    • Prioritize screen activities that have positive benefits, such as educational apps and video connections with loved ones.
  • Allow screen time only after completing other needed tasks, for example, homework, physical activity, social activities.
  • Give a time warning before ending screen time so they can prepare to end or save their activity.
  • Do not extend the screen time in response to protests – validate their feelings of sadness and disappointment, coach them through regulating their emotions if upset and stick to the limit.
  • Learn and practice emotion self-regulation strategies to cope with child protests, for example, mindfulness, self-compassionate statements, and calm breathing.
  • Have an activity or task ready to move to after the screen time has ended and gently guide them to it.
  • Reward children with praise when they end screen time at the first request.
  • If children act out when screen time ends, have a natural consequence prepared which the children know about ahead of time.
  • For older children who have been allowed to engage with social media, require that they include you in their “friend” groups and allow you to follow them. This can be explained as part of your job in keeping them safe.
  • For older children who have been allowed to participate in group chats, they need to allow random caregiver checks on content to ensure their safety and that they are learning to engage with friends online appropriately. While children may need more teaching, restrictions, and/or supervision if mistakes are made, make sure to stay calm and approachable around these discussions. It is most helpful if your older children come to you so you can problem-solve collaboratively how to move forward in a positive way.
  • Additional strategies for monitoring and managing cyber-bulling risk factors for older children can be found on the Teens and Screens Fact Sheet.

Additional Resources

We know that parenting around screen time and digital media use can be hard. Technology and programs are designed to be rewarding and make it hard to stop. Using these strategies will take time and practice but are worth the effort. Below are some additional resources to help. If you are concerned about the mental health and wellbeing of anyone in your family, please seek out additional professional support.

You can consult with a registered psychologist to find out if psychological interventions might be of help to you. Provincial, territorial, and some municipal associations of psychology may make available a referral list of practicing psychologists that can be searched for appropriate services. For the names and coordinates of provincial and territorial associations of psychology, go to  https://cpa.ca/public/whatisapsychologist/PTassociations/.

This fact sheet has been prepared for the Canadian Psychological Association by Dr. Jo Ann Unger, C. Psych. and Dr. Michelle Warren, C. Psych., University of Manitoba.

Revised: May 2025

Your opinion matters! Please contact us with any questions or comments about any of the PSYCHOLOGY WORKS Fact Sheets:  factsheets@cpa.ca


References

Cost, K.T., Unternaehrer, E., Tsujimoto, K., Vanderloo, L.L., Birken, C.S., Maguire, J.L., Szatmari, P., Charach, A. (2023). Patterns of parent screen use, child screen time, and child socio-emotional problems at 5 years. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 35(7), Article e13246. https://doi.org/10.1111/jne.13246

Farah, R., Zivan, M., Niv, L., Havron, N., Hutton, J., & Horowitz-Kraus, T. (2021). High screen use by children aged 12-36 months during the first COVID-19 lockdown was associated with parental stress and screen us. Acta Pediatrica, 110(10), 2808-2809. https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.15979

Mantilla A., & Edwards, S. (2019). Digital technology use by and with young children: A systematic review for the statement on young children and digital technologies. Australian Journal of Early Childhood, 44(2), 182-195. https://doi.org/10.1177/1836939119832744

Ponti, M. (2023). Screen time and preschool children: Promoting health and development in a digital world. Canadian Pediatric Society Digital Health Task Force. https://cps.ca/en/documents/position/screen-time-and-preschool-children#ref14

Wong, R.S., Tung, K.T.S., Rao, N., Leung, C., Hui, A.N.N., Tso, W.W.Y., Fu, K.-W.Y., Jiang, F., Zhao, J., & Ip. P. (2020). Parent technology use, parent-child interaction, child screen time, and child psychosocial problems among disadvantaged families. The Journal of Pediatrics, 226, 258-265. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2020.07.006

“Psychology Works” Fact Sheet: Mental Health and the Workplace

Mental health is an increasing public health concern in Canada. One in five Canadians will experience mental illness in any given year. Mental health is a prevalent issue among employed Canadians. At least 500,000 Canadians miss work due to mental illness every week, with an estimated economic cost of $51 billion annually. Organizational psychologists have […]

Psychology Month Profile: Marjolaine Rivest-Beauregard and Justine Fortin

Sors de ma tête
Marjolaine Rivest-Beauregard and Justine Fortin

Montréal psychology students Marjolaine Rivest-Beauregard and Justine Fortin created the podcast Sors de ma tête to combat disinformation and to make science accessible for non-scientists toward the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. They joined the CPA podcast Mind Full to discuss their work, which has branched out a little bit as they get ready to launch their third season.


Mental Health Care for Canadian Children and Youth: The Role of School Psychologists.

Mental health and wellbeing which include the range of social, emotional, intellectual and behavioural functions upon which we all rely day to day, are critical to the success of people and the places in which they live, work, learn, and play. This is especially true for children, for whom mental health services and supports bring the biggest return on investment. School psychologists play an essential role in the mental and cognitive health and wellbeing of students in school and non-school settings, particularly, as we continue to live with the impacts of far-reaching societal events, like the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Click Here to read the Position Paper.


CPA and MHCC Report on Employee and Employer Perspectives on Access to Psychological Services (June, 2022)

The CPA and Mental Health Commission of Canada collaborated on a research report Extended Mental Health Benefits in Canadian Workplaces: Employee and Employer Perspectives that sought to better understand employee and employer perspectives on access to psychological care. The findings include: 80% of employees felt coverage for psychological care was inadequate; 72% of employees said their mental health improved after receiving psychological care; 60% of employers were confident that mental health coverage provided a good return-on-investment; and 29% of employers increased their mental health coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic. The full report can be found here: https://mentalhealthcommission.ca/resource/extended-mental-health-benefits-in-canadian-workplaces-employee-and-employer-perspectives/


CPA Submits Brief to House of Commons Standing Committee (April 2022)

The CPA submitted a Brief to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities. The Brief responds to a study the committee is undertaking on labour shortages and working conditions within the care economy – which includes healthcare workers, personal support workers and childcare workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Brief focuses on the role and contributions of psychology within an integrated primary care system, the importance training additional capacity and licensure, and the need for more robust health system performance measures.

CPA Comments on 2022 Federal Budget (April 2022)

Following the release of the 2022 federal budget, the CPA issued a news release noting that while the federal government has taken some important steps forward, more strides need to be taken to improve timely access to publicly funded mental health care services. The Budget also stopped short of the need to invest in psychological research to help us understand and better respond to health and community emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic.


CPA Presents to House of Commons Standing Committee on Health (HESA) (March 2022)

Dr. Karen Cohen spoke to HESA on the emergency situation facing Canadians in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. In her opening remarks she focused on: (1) the important role that psychological science plays in developing current and post-pandemic policies; (2) the need to address the funding barriers that limits access to psychological care; and (3) the importance of training and regulating Canada’s health human resources.