{"id":1372,"date":"2011-10-31T16:11:55","date_gmt":"2011-10-31T20:11:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ccpa.scottbuckingham.ca\/blog\/?p=1372"},"modified":"2015-07-03T16:12:07","modified_gmt":"2015-07-03T20:12:07","slug":"an-idea-whose-time-has-come","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ccpa-accp.ca\/fr\/an-idea-whose-time-has-come\/","title":{"rendered":"An Idea Whose Time Has Come?"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the past few years some Canadian colleges and universities have begun providing online counselling services for their students. I personally know of five post-secondary institutions that are now considering providing this type of counselling in the near future.\u00a0 I also know post-secondary counsellors who have received training in Online Counselling who are not yet able to offer this service at their institution.<\/p>\n

In the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, Japan, Greece and Denmark colleges and universities have adopted Online Counselling as well.\u00a0 The format for provision of online counselling services varies: live chat, email q &a, real-time Skype or Instant Messaging exchanges, online peer support groups, online life coaching and asynchronous email exchanges.<\/p>\n

Why might this be an idea whose time has come? <\/em><\/p>\n

<\/em><\/p>\n

Research on young adults\u2019 help seeking behaviours<\/em> indicates a willingness to seek professional help for mental health issues is influenced by gender, cultural perceptions\/attitudes\/beliefs about mental health, emotional competence, previous experiences with professionals, mental health literacy and supportive social influences. [1]<\/a>\u00a0 Mental health and well-being is critical at this stage of development though young adults are often poorly informed about how best to help themselves.\u00a0 As indicated below the first source of information is often the Internet.<\/p>\n

The Pew Internet Research Group in the US reports that the key purposes for which individuals across all age groups 18 \u2013 74+ use the Internet is (in order): email, search, seeking health information (including mental health).[2]<\/a>\u00a0 Another researcher states, \u201cThe Internet has become one of the first places that people now turn to in times of distress.\u201d[3]<\/a><\/p>\n

Student Groups that may be reluctant or unable to access face-to-face Counselling Services<\/em><\/p>\n

There are some student groups that are more reluctant to access services in the more traditional face-to-face format.\u00a0<\/p>\n

For example some students:<\/p>\n