MONTREAL, Feb. 2021 / CNW Telbec / – Following the invitation of the Government of Quebec, the Ordre des orthophonistes et audiologistes du Québec (OOAQ) today submitted a brief including four recommendations for the next interministerial health action plan mental. The OOAQ asks that the importance of human communication be recognized in the mental health services offered to the population while avoiding linking all the issues to the effects of the pandemic. This approach follows public consultations on the impact of the pandemic on the mental health of Quebecers.
“The pandemic is an unprecedented opportunity to rethink services in the field of mental health and human relations, to innovate and to recognize that communication and social interactions are at the center of care and services, regardless age, ”says Paul-André Gallant, President of the OOAQ.
Human communication: essential in mental health
From the outset, the OOAQ deplores the fact that so little is said about communication and hearing disorders when it comes to mental health. Especially since the links between communication and mental illness are inseparable and increasingly documented.
“If they go undetected, communication and hearing problems become a barrier to optimal treatment and the provision of appropriate and appropriate services for the child, adolescent, adult or child. ‘elder’, explains Gallant.
Communication difficulties are also diagnostic criteria for several mental health disorders, for example attention deficit, autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, dementia, anxiety or even selective mutism. Not to mention that mental health disorders can also have an impact on a person’s ability to communicate with others.
Problems exacerbated by the pandemic
The pandemic has forced health authorities to impose several measures in order to prevent the transmission of the virus. However, these measures are major obstacles to communication. Let us think of the wearing of the mask which alters everyone’s communication, and more affects people living, for example, with a hearing loss, a language disorder, aphasia or for young children in full language development. Indeed, this physical barrier deafens the voice, weakens sound, prevents lip reading and understanding emotions, thus hampering effective communication.
The social distancing imposed by health measures makes the exchange of information even more difficult for people, such as elders, who depend on the proximity of the interlocutor to understand and interact.
The offloading of services also has its share of consequences. The OOAQ is concerned about people with acquired communication disorders, such as aphasia, or young children who are waiting for an audiology or speech-language pathology assessment, and who are not currently receiving the required services. The interruption of schooling and the modification or termination of professional services in schools will also weaken certain young people and repercussions on their mental health are to be expected in the coming years.
Speech therapists and audiologists: key players
Speech-language pathologists and audiologists improve the health, well-being and social participation of people with mental disorders through the prevention, early detection of mental health problems and the treatment of communication, language and speech disorders. ‘hearing. Indeed, the majority of people living with mental health difficulties or disorders experience significant communication difficulties which, unfortunately, are rarely detected.
4 recommendations
It is still too early to predict all the repercussions that the pandemic and the health measures put in place will have on children, adolescents, the elderly and the entire population of Quebec. However, it is recognized in recent literature that the psychological repercussions will be widespread and will last a long time.
Faced with this, the OOAQ makes the following recommendations:
- Ensure that communication and hearing difficulties and disorders are taken into account in the interdepartmental mental health action plan and avoid linking everything to the pandemic.
- Recognize and consider, now and for the future, the importance of the inseparable link between communication (hearing and language) and mental health.
- Integrate speech therapists and audiologists as professionals who can contribute to the interdepartmental mental health action plan.
- Determine the real repercussions of the pandemic on children, young people and all vulnerable clienteles with the help of studies and scientific research.
“Only interdisciplinary, concerted and integrated work will allow optimal implementation of an interdepartmental mental health action plan for the Quebec population,” concludes Mr. Gallant.
To consult the OOAQ’s brief on the impact of the pandemic on the mental health of Quebecers: https://www.ooaq.qc.ca/media/koab42ft/m%C3%A9moireooaq-l-impact-de-la-pand%C3%A9mie-sur-la-sant%C3%A9-mentale.pdf
About the OOAQ
The OOAQ contributes to improving the quality of life of the Quebec population by getting involved in various public issues related to health and education. With more than 450 audiologists and 2,900 speech therapists, the Order’s mission is to ensure the protection of the public with regard to the field of practice of its members, namely hearing, the vestibular system, language, voice, speech, communication and their troubles. It is in particular responsible for controlling access to the professions of speech therapist and audiologist, supporting the maintenance and development of the skills of its members and monitoring their professional practice.
SOURCE Order of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists of Quebec
For further information: For additional information or to request an interview: Audrey Mockle, Communications Advisor, Media Relations, OOAQ, Tel. : 514-244-2224, [email protected]
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