If you are in an emergency, in crisis or need someone to talk to, there is help.

View Crisis Resources
Skip to content
  • Contact Us
  • No One Left Behind
  • Join our team
  • Referral Form
  • Virtual Urgent Care
  • Accessibility
CAMH logo
  • Patients and Families
    • Main Page
    • Access CAMH & Referral Form
      • Access CAMH

        Centralized information, intake and scheduling. Access CAMH makes it easy to find support – simply call 416-535-8501, option 2.

      • Referral Form

        For mental health services, a referral form needs to be completed by a healthcare provider. For addictions services, patient can self-refer.

    • Programs & Services
      • Addictions/Substance Use
      • Alzheimer’s & Dementia
      • Anxiety & Depression
      • Concurrent Disorders
      • Developmental Disabilities
      • Mood & Personality Disorders
      • Problem Gambling
      • Schizophrenia & Psychosis
      • Trauma & Stress Disorders
      • Virtual Mental Health and Outreach
      • Other
    • Information for Patients
      • Patient Wellness and Patient Engagement at CAMH
      • What to expect
      • Your Rights
      • Patient and Family Feedback
      • Visiting CAMH

        Planning on visiting CAMH? Find contact information, directions and accessibility for each of our three main sites.

    • Information for Families
      • Family Resource Centre
      • Patient and Family Feedback
      • Visiting CAMH

        Planning on visiting CAMH? Find contact information, directions and accessibility for each of our three main sites.

    • Patient and Family Engagement
      • Patient and Family Partners Program
      • Information and resources
      • Get Involved in Research
      • Volunteer at CAMH
    • Visiting CAMH
      • Visiting CAMH

        Planning on visiting CAMH? Find contact information, directions and accessibility for each of our three main sites.

        Read More
    • MyCAMH
  • Health Info
    • Main Page
    • Mental Illness & Addiction Index
      • Conditions & Disorders
      • Medication Therapies
      • Substance Use
      • Types of Treatment
      • Information in Other Languages
    • Mental Health 101
      • Mental Health 101

        Use this series of free online tutorials as the starting point to learn about and understand a wide range of mental health topics.

        Read More
    • Guides & Publications
      • Guides & Publications

        Accessible, reliable, professionally produced resources on an array of mental health topics for patients, families, students and professionals.

        Read More
    • Crisis Resources
      • Crisis Resources

        If you are in an emergency, in crisis or need someone to talk to, there is a list of resources available for areas in and around Toronto.

        Read More
    • CAMH Store
      • CAMH Store

        The CAMH Store offers a wide array of mental illness and addiction resources for patients, families, students and professionals. Search or browse our catalogue of brochures and booklets, textbooks, manuals and assessment tools.

        Read More
    • CAMH Library
      • CAMH Library

        Open to professionals and the general public, our comprehensive resources and services support and enhance CAMH's research and clinical programs, and they facilitate learning, dynamic knowledge exchange and health promotion initiatives.

        Read More
    • Workplace Mental Health Playbook
    • Mental Health and the COVID-19 Pandemic
      • Coping with stress & anxiety
      • Quarantine & isolation
      • Stigma and prejudice
      • Loss, grief and healing
      • Covid-19 Resources for Health Care Workers
  • Research
    • Main Page
    • Research to Drive Change
    • The Discovery Fund
      • The Discovery Fund

        Fuelling the next generation of groundbreaking research and innovation dedicated to finding the causes of and cures for mental illness.

        Read More
    • Research Centres
      • Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre
      • Azrieli Centre for Neuro-Radiochemistry
      • Brain Health Imaging Centre
      • Centre for Youth Bipolar Disorder
      • Cundill Centre for Child and Youth Depression
      • Institute for Mental Health Policy Research
      • Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics
      • Slaight Family Centre for Youth in Transition
      • Tanenbaum Centre for Pharmacogenetics
      • Temerty Centre for Therapeutic Brain Intervention
      • The Margaret and Wallace McCain Centre for Child Youth & Family Mental Health
    • Clinical Divisions
      • Addictions Division
      • Adult Neurodevelopmental and Geriatric Psychiatry Division
      • Child and Youth Psychiatry Division
      • Forensic Psychiatry Division
      • General and Health Systems Psychiatry Division
      • Psychology Division
      • Schizophrenia Division
    • Participate in Research
      • Research Connect FAQs
      • Research Ethics
    • Research Ethics
    • Koerner Centre for Research Training
      • Koerner Centre for Research Training

        Each year CAMH provides opportunities to the next generation of scientists: today’s undergraduate students, graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. Train in a unique learning environment and help contribute to the breakthrough mental health research and treatments of tomorrow

        Read More
    • Science & Research Staff Directory
      • Our Scientific Staff
      • Research Chairs at CAMH
    • Industry Partnerships & Technology Transfer Office
      • Spinoffs
      • Co-Development and Commercialization
    • Digital Innovation Hub
  • Education
    • Main Page
    • Continuing Education Programs and Courses
      • Find the Course That's Right for You

        Browse our entire selection of certificate programs, webinars and workshops.

      • Workplace Education and Consulting Services

        View our full list of workplace mental health workshops and consulting services

    • Collaborative Learning College
    • Simulation Centre
    • TIDES
    • Student Centre
    • Clinical & Research Opportunities for Professionals in Training
      • Clinical Psychology Training Programs
      • Community-Based Research Fellowship
      • Graduate & Post-Doctoral Fellowships in Public Health Policy
      • Clinical & Research Opportunities for Professionals in Training

        Study in a world-class setting to become a leader in the field of mental health.

    • Research in Education
      • Academic & Education Research Excellence
      • Health Equity and Inclusion Framework for Education and Training
    • Evaluation
    • Workplace Mental Health Workshops and Consulting
    • CAMH Education Contacts
  • Professionals
    • Main Page
    • Treating Conditions & Disorders
      • Adult ADHD
      • NAVIGATE - Treating Psychosis in Youth
      • CARIBOU - Treating depression in youth
      • Alcohol Use
      • Anxiety Disorders
      • Dementia
      • Depression
      • Suicide Risk
      • Fundamentals of Addiction
      • Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities
      • Mania
      • OCD
      • Opioid use and opioid use disorder
      • Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders
      • Personality Disorders
      • Psychosis
      • Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
      • Sleep Disorders
      • Smoking Cessation
      • Virtual Mental Health
    • Professionals Projects
      • Climate Change and Mental Health
      • Health Care Access Research and Developmental Disabilities
      • Immigrant and Refugee Mental Health Project
      • Opioid Use in Primary Care Conference 2024
    • Networks
      • Psychiatry Partnerships with Northern Communities
    • Covid-19 Resources for Health Care Workers
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
  • Get Involved
    • Main Page
    • Ways to Donate
      • Give Monthly
      • Give In Memory or In Honour
      • Start a Fundraiser
      • Gifts of Celebration
      • Leave a Gift in Your Will
      • Employee Giving
      • Donate Goods & Services
      • Gifts of Securities
      • Canvassers & Callers
      • Make a one-time donation

        With your support, CAMH researchers are revolutionizing the ways we diagnose, treat, and prevent mental illness. Donate today.

    • Join the Cause
      • Corporate Partnerships
      • Business Leaders for Mental Health
      • CAMH Engage
      • womenmind
      • Visionary Society
      • Michael Wilson Society
      • Volunteer at CAMH
    • Making a Real Impact
      • Making a Real Impact

        Real stories of courage, hope and discovery. Made possible through your continued support of CAMH.

        Read More
  • Driving Change
    • Main Page
    • About CAMH
      • Leadership Team Directory
      • Performance & Accountability
      • The Role of CAMH Foundation
      • For Reporters
      • Events Calendar
      • For Our Neighbours
      • Contact CAMH
      • Careers at CAMH

        By working at CAMH, you can help people affected by mental illness and support their recovery. Join the team. Everyone who works at CAMH becomes an advocate for mental health.

    • The Crisis is Real
      • The Crisis is Real

        We are in the grips of a crisis that ruins health, threatens lives and hurts economies. Knowing the facts is the first step in creating hope.

      • Mental Health Statistics

        The latest facts and statistics on mental illness and addiction, who's affected and their impact on Canadians.

    • Addressing Stigma
      • Addressing Stigma

        Challenging the stigma associated with mental illness takes understanding, education and a closer look at our own attitudes toward health.

        Read More
    • The Mental Health Facility of the Future
      • The Mental Health Facility of the Future

        Turning what was once a walled institution into a symbol of hope for the future of mental health care.

      • Vision & Guiding Principles

        How do you replace an institution with an urban village? Lots of planning, imagination and a long-term commitment to serving patients, staff and the community.

      • History of Queen Street Site

        Our history—evolving from an asylum into a modern health facility with patients at the centre of care—is the history of mental health care in Canada.

    • Influencing Public Policy
      • Influencing Public Policy

        CAMH advocates for policies that are responsive to the needs of people with mental illness and addictions.

        Read More
    • Health Equity
      • Health Equity

        CAMH believes in the principle of equity. We respect the diversity of the individuals and communities we serve.

        Read More
    • Shkaabe Makwa
    • CAMH News & Stories
    • Strategic Plan
    • Contact Us
    • No One Left Behind
    • Join our team
    • Referral Form
    • Virtual Urgent Care
    • Accessibility
H-CARDD COVID Program

CAMH Logo
  • H-CARDD COVID Program
Back to top
  • Home
  • Professionals
  • Professionals Projects
  • Health Care Access Research and Developmental Disabilities
  • Projects
  • H-CARDD COVID Program
CAMH logo
  • H-CARDD Home
  • Projects
  • Health Care Resources
  • Knowledge Exchange
  • Blog
Back to top

Since the onset of COVID-19, members of the H-CARDD Program were actively involved in identifying health and health care challenges for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and working in partnership to develop innovative solutions to address health care gaps during the pandemic.

With a focus on vaccination, we developed two policy briefs both focused on inclusivity and accessibility of vaccination efforts in Canada.

  • Including People with Developmental Disabilities as a Priority Group in Canada’s COVID- 19 Vaccination Program: Key Considerations: Part 1
  • Including People with Developmental Disabilities as a Priority Group in Canada’s COVID- 19 Vaccination Program: Key Considerations: Part 2

As well, H-CARDD contributed to an Ontario Science Brief on accessible vaccinations to further inform and guide vaccination practices for adults with IDD.

Our COVID program included two national virtual education projects aimed at building the capacity of people with developmental disabilities, families, and health and social service providers from across the country. For a summary of these projects, see our Snapshots and Easy Reads documents.

Our research team, including self-advocate and family caregiver advisors, presented Working Together to Deliver a Nationwide Virtual Education Program on improving mental and physical health during COVID at the 2023 Canadian Health and Wellbeing in Developmental Disabilities Conference .

Our team also worked in partnership with patients, families and health care providers to develop patient-friendly resources to support the health and wellbeing of adults with IDD and their families related to vaccination, emergency care, and mental health. Several of these resources were developed as part of the Developmental Disabilities Primary Care Program . Our resources can be found at www.hcarddcovid.com/info .
  

Resources

  • Snapshot from the CIHR COVID Project to Support Mental Health  
  • Accessible dance videos  
  • My COVID Check in    
  • Hospital Transfer Form
  • DDPCP COVID tools
      

Publications

The impact of a virtual wellness course for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the third year of COVID-19 by L. St. John et al. in Journal of Intellectual Disabilities.

  • Download the Easy Read version of the paper.

Predictors of mental well-being among family caregivers of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities during COVID-19 . O. Mendoza et al. in BJPsych Open.

Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour, Sleep and Mental Wellbeing in Family Caregivers of Adults With Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities by L. Koch et al. in Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities
  

Evaluation of a co-designed Health Check-in for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and family caregivers to support pandemic recovery by Lunsky, Y. et al. in British Journal of Learning Disabilities.

  • Download the Easy Read version of the paper.
  • Watch the video below with Dr. Yona Lunsky and self-advocate advisors, Marissa Blake and Victor Pereira, as they talk about the Health Check-in Tool and making doctor visits better for people with developmental disabilities. 

 

The power of partnerships to identify and address mental health concerns experienced by adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities by Lunsky, Y. et al. in American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

Bridging the Gap: A national virtual education program for professionals caring for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities at the time of COVID-19 by Thakur, A. et al. in BJPsych Open.

"Everything has changed since COVID”: Ongoing challenges faced by Canadian adults with intellectual disabilities during waves 2 and 3 of the COVID-19 pandemic by Safar et al., Journal of Intellectual Disabilities (2024).

  • Download the Easy Read version

The experiences and attitudes of family caregivers of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities at different timepoints in the COVID-19 pandemic by Tarzi et al., Disability and Health Journal (2023).

More together than apart’: The evaluation of a virtual course to improve mental health and well-being of adults with intellectual disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic by St. John et al., Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities (2022).

  • Download Easy Read version

Mental health and COVID-19: The impact of a virtual course for family caregivers of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities by Lake et al., Journal of Intellectual Disability Research (2022)

  • Download Easy Read version

Virtual Education Program to Support Providers Caring for People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Rapid Development and Evaluation Study by Thakur et al., Journal of Medical Internet Research Mental Health (2021).

  • Download Easy Read version.

 

 

In H-CARDD Projects

Special Olympics Canada logo

New! Supporting the Health of Special Olympics Canada Athletes 

Supporting ALC Patients With a Dual Diagnosis to Transition From Hospital to Home: Practice Guidance

H-CARDD COVID Program

Health Checks

Atlas on Primary Care

Mental Illness and Addiction Project

Women's Health

Transition-aged Youth

Aging Adults

Emergency Care

Family Health Teams

Health Care Outcomes

The Nuts and Bolts of Health Care

Criminal Justice and Forensic Mental Health Systems

H-CARDD Connects newsletter

Read the March 2025 issue of H-CARDD Connects.

Sign up for H-CARDD Connects to receive updates on research findings, resources and health care tools.

Azrieli Centre - Yona Lunsky talking to a colleague on BGB stairs

Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre

The Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre is the first research and education centre in Canada dedicated to improving care for adults with neurodevelopmental disabilities and mental health challenges. Learn more.

Can we count on your support?

Donate to help us improve mental health care for everyone.

Follow us
  • Patient and Family Care
  • Health Info
  • Science and Research
  • Education
  • Professionals
  • Get Involved
  • Driving Change
  • About CAMH
  • Job Openings
  • Purchase Publications
  • Referral Form
  • For Reporters
  • Donor Services
  • Events

CAMH Switchboard

From the GTA: 416 535-8501


Toll-free: 1 800 463-2338

To Access CAMH Clinical Services

416 535-8501, press 2

We have multiple locations. Find directions.

Map of CAMH's Queen Street Site
  • Staff Tools

Copyright 2025 CAMH

  • Terms of Use
  • Accessibility
  • Site Map

Keep in touch with CAMH

Keep your finger on our pulse – latest CAMH news, discoveries and ways to get involved delivered to your inbox.

Please select a newsletter

Please complete the following:

    Required Fields

    Please select a newsletter option

    Please input a first name

    Please input a last name

    Please input an email address

    By clicking Sign Up below, I consent to receive electronic communications (as selected above) from CAMH and CAMH Foundation. To unsubscribe at any time click the link in our mailing or email: unsubscribe@camh.ca

    Please agree to the Terms of Use

     

    Thanks for Subscribing.

    We look forward to keeping you informed, inspired and involved in all things CAMH.

    Help us change mental health care forever.

    Every donation moves us closer to a future where no one is left behind.

    $
    Other Ways to Give