Connecting to Care

A Lawson Health Research Institute trial of online cognitive behavioural therapy is providing hope for people living with chronic disease, spinal cord injury and neurological conditions.
Phil Raney sitting in a wheelchair with his service dog beside him with his front paws on Phil's lap
Phil Raney, seen here with his service dog Rutger, was able to connect to the mental health resources he needed thanks to an online cognitive behavioural therapy website created through donor support.

After a long battle with a disease that left him with a severe spinal cord injury, Phil Raney remained optimistic. Paying close attention to his health, he was doing his best to live life to the fullest in his power wheelchair – with his devoted wife Janna and Rutger the service dog by his side.

Despite his diligence and positive attitude, Phil was left with constant pain from five major spinal surgeries and no clear direction on next steps for his physical and mental wellbeing.

One in three people in Ontario live with at least one major chronic health condition but the physical symptoms are only part of their daily battle. 

These individuals are also more likely to develop the psychological fallout of living with a chronic illness – feelings of anxiety, distress and depression. 

Searching for resources online, Phil found a link to a research study at Parkwood Institute that sparked hope for the Brantford native. 

With donor support through St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation, a scientist at Lawson Health Research Institute, Dr. Swati Mehta, is piloting a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) website to support the mental health of people living with chronic disease, spinal cord injury and neurological conditions. The online therapy, which combines mindfulness-based pain management and practical life applications guided by a therapist, helps patients manage their unique mental health needs.

Dr. Swati Mehta typing on a keyboard
Dr. Swati Mehta, a scientist at Lawson Health Research Institute, is studying the value of cognitive behavioural therapy delivered online to serve the unique needs of people living with a spinal cord injury, chronic disease and neurological disease.

“While mental health challenges are common for those with neurological conditions, they often go untreated for a number of reasons,” says Dr. Mehta.

“For example, those living in remote areas often do not have access to specialized services and many patients are concerned about stigma.”

The long-term goal of the pilot program is to help people like Phil overcome barriers of accessing face-to-face therapy by providing an online alternative.

Phil credits the web-based CBT course with helping him get the care he needed during a difficult time in his life. 

This story appeared in Issue 04 of My St. Joseph's. View more stories from the magazine.

 

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