Substance Use Disorders and the Youth: Trying to Reduce the Barriers for Telehealth Use

What you'll learn

Course overview

Adolescents experiencing substance use disorders (SUDs) face significant barriers to accessing timely and effective treatment, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Telehealth has emerged as a promising solution, yet challenges such as digital inequity, confidentiality concerns, and engagement difficulties remain. Mental health professionals must be equipped with the knowledge and skills to navigate these complexities, ensuring that virtual care is both accessible and effective for youth in need. This course provides an in-depth exploration of telehealth applications in adolescent SUD treatment, offering evidence-based strategies for enhancing engagement, integrating family support, addressing cultural considerations, and advocating for policy reforms that expand access to care. Through a focus on best practices and emerging innovations, this training prepares clinicians to optimize telehealth interventions and improve outcomes for adolescents struggling with substance use.