WCB Virtual Mental Health Program (VMHP)

You will meet online (via secure encrypted video) with the Psychologist weekly for 60-90 minutes depending on your difficulties. The psychologist will work with you directly on your mental health injury (e.g., PTSD, depression) as well as guide the rest of your team members as appropriate. You will have a combination of in session work as well as psychology homework assignments to help you keep improving across the week.

Research shows that one of the best ways to combat depression and anxiety is exercise. Unfortunately, depression and anxiety reduce the motivation to exercise. As part of our whole body approach to mental health, you will have a treatment team member dedicated to helping you to exercise and get that mental health benefit you need to get going. If you've never been an exerciser, your therapist will help you to work on basic programming to just get moving. Already an exercise junkie? Here is a chance to work with a therapist to improve technique and improve your workout routine.  Either way, we're here to help you get that exercise benefit to improve your mental health. 

 ADL stands for Activities of Daily Living. With depression and anxiety people often stop doing the things they used to do. Things that brought joy or value to your life slip away from your daily routine. Your ADL Therapist will work with you to re-engage in those life activities. The ADL Therapist will work with you to identify what needs improving, including engagement on daily chores (e.g., laundry, cleaning), hobbies (e.g., reading, crafts, building projects), socializing (e.g., staying connected with friends and family) and work. This therapist will be the primary contact with your employer and will work closely with you and your psychologist to create a return to work (RTW) program that suits you and your individual situation.  

 You will meet with your Physical Therapist on initial assessment. They will conduct a physical screen and interview to ensure that your treatment team is aware of any important physical factors for your safe participation in programming (e.g., old knee injury, low back pain, etc.). Once all is clear, your Physical Therapist will only be in contact with you if you report some difficulties associated with pain (e.g., unusual soreness after a workout or pain associated with an injury). 

In the initial booking stages you will be contacted by the Rehabilitation Coordinator. This team member will be handling much of the background organization for the team. You might have contact with them about booking sessions, insurance-related issues, or arranging aspects of treatment.

 While we list here typical program details to help clients understand what their treatment might look like, we emphasize that each program is tailored to the individual client. While your program will likely look similar to a typical program, some aspects may differ depending on your situation. Moreover, your program will be re-evaluated over time. If program intensity or duration needs to be adjusted part way though, that will be reassessed and altered as needed. To give you a general idea of a typical program, we've provided a few details below. 

Most VMHPs are between 12-16 weeks long (3-4 months). This is generally broken down into two stages. Stage 1 is typically 8-12 weeks of treatment, re-engaging in life, and participation in the exercise component. In Stage 2 the exercise component is removed and replaced with a gradual return to work (RTW) plan. This often involves starting work shifts that may be shorter, less frequent, or involving less difficult duties than your previous shifts. When Stage 2 is approaching you and your treating psychologist will develop a RTW plan that suits your individual needs and circumstances.

The VMHP is designed to have online appointments across 3 days a week. This is intended to help structure your week and allow your treatment team to check in on how you are doing across multiple points during the week. Your appointments will be with Psychology (once per week for 60-90 minutes), ADL/RTW Therapy (once per week for 60 minutes), and Exercise Therapy (twice per week for 60 minutes). During your Exercise Therapy appointments you will be completing exercises in your home with your Exercise Therapist observing you via video and guiding you on technique. 

You will be contacted by the treatment team to get an initial assessment date. This is a 2 day assessment conducted in Saskatoon at the SMRC building. This building is located at 49 1st Ave N in Saskatoon. During the initial 2 day assessment you will meet all of your treatment team members in person. The team will ensure you are set up for video sessions and know how to use your phone, laptop, or computer to access services, including our video appointments. All details related to your trip (e.g., accommodations, travel expenses) will be worked out in advance. After week one, sessions will move to online so you can access them in your home community. This will utilize an encrypted video system to ensure your private health information is safe.