Tele-Mental Health Service

TMHS Specialists have a range of expertise on topics  that include, but are not limited to:

• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
• Disruptive behaviour disorders
• Mood and anxiety disorders
• Learning difficulties
• Attachment disorders
• Psychosis/thought disorders
• Transgender care

 Tele-Mental Health Specialist Bios (PDF)

What we do: programs and services

Direct clinical consultation

A direct, one-time clinical consultation with a mental health specialist (psychiatrist, social worker, nurse practitioner, psychologist). The consultation is conducted with the child/youth, their family and their case manager. A clinical consultation can provide:

• Diagnostic clarification
• Treatment recommendations
• Medication review and recommendations
• Help prioritizing treatment in complex cases
• Assist in managing safety and risk

A report will be sent to the referring provider 10 business days following the appointment. A follow-up appointment may be requested by the referring provider or mental health specialist.

We do not provide ongoing mental health care, counselling or medication prescriptions.

Professional-to-professional consultation

A consultation between a mental health provider and a specialist (without the child/youth and their family present). This is an opportunity for a provider or interdisciplinary team (e.g., school, primary care, etc.) to talk with the consulting specialist and may be useful when:

• Child/Family does not consent to a direct clinical consultation
• Child/Family does not show up for their appointment
• A follow-up to a direct clinical consultation where a mental health provider may have questions about treatment recommendations

Learn more about referrals

Program consultations

A capacity building service for community agencies to access expert mental health specialists to consult on clinically relevant cases and topics. Our TMHS specialist meets monthly with a designated group of mental health providers to discuss clinical, program-wide and community issues. Topics discussed may include:

• Individual youth and their emotions/behaviours
• Diagnosis
• Case formulation and management

Submit a program consult request

Education sessions

• Requested education sessions can cover a wide range of clinical topics and can be delivered as a one-time session or presented as a short education series. Education sessions are tailored to the needs of the requesting agency and can be of an introductory or advanced level to meet the needs of the diversity of practitioners. 

Request an education session

• Provincial education sessions are scheduled, provincial-wide webinars available to child and youth mental health providers throughout the academic year (new topic ~ every two weeks). For more information on our provincial sessions, please email telepsychiatry@sickkids.ca. 

Benefits of TMHS

• All clinical services are offered virtually using secure platforms (OTN, Zoom Healthcare), removing the need for travel
• Shorter wait list for specialist services compared to those in many local communities
• Bilingual services available in English and French, interpretation can be arranged for other languages at no cost
• No OHIP coverage needed

Eligibility

• Age 0-18 (up to 18^th birthday)
• Presents with mental health concerns
• Case manager must be present during the consultation

Exclusion criteria

• Custody/access assessments
• Parenting capacity assessments
• Youth justice assessments for court purposes
• Immediate risk assessment (contact local Emergency department)

TMHS Referral Forms (English) 

• TeleMental Health Referral Form (PDF)
• TeleMental Health Follow Up/Second Opinion Request Form (PDF)
• TeleMental Health Consent to Disclosure Form (PDF)

TMHS Referral Forms (French)

Please note that written recommendations will be provided in English. 

• Formulaire de référence (PDF)
• Formulaire de suivi et demande d’un deuxième avis (PDF)
• Formulaire de consentement à la divulgation de renseignements personnels sur la santé (PDF)

Our history

Tele-Mental Health began in 2000 as a pioneering videoconference-based program. Over the years, it has grown in reach, technology, services, funding, and even its name.

At first, the program only provided one-time consultations with child psychiatrists and specialist children’s mental health professionals to select children’s mental health agencies chosen by the Ministry of Child & Youth Services.

In 2007, Tele-Mental Health expanded significantly with the introduction of Eastern and Western delivery hubs, extending services to more children’s mental health agencies.

By 2011, the program had grown further, making its services available to all children’s mental health providers in non-urban areas of Ontario. This expansion was followed by a pilot program in the Greater Toronto Area, bringing Tele-Mental Health to urban communities.

Today, Tele-Mental Health is a province-wide program that supports a wide range of mental health providers in delivering mental health care to children and youth.

Our future

• Click to view our 2029 strategic plan (PDF)
• Cliquez pour consulter notre plan stratégique 2029 (PDF)

Our vision: Empowering Communities, Building Capacity: Collaborating for Equity and Diversity in Child and Youth Mental Health Across Ontario

Our mission: The Tele-Mental Health Service focuses on collaboration and capacity building to support child and youth mental health across Ontario, with attention to Indigenous, Francophone and underserved communities. Through community partnerships, we bring comprehensive mental health expertise, aiming to enhance local capacity to support children/youth and families. We remain committed to genuine partnership and reciprocal learning, equitable and culturally safe access, and breaking through barriers to mental health services.