Study shows pandemic’s impact on mental health

Many Canadians are struggling with mental health due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new survey.

The study, done by the Canadian Mental Health Association from Sept. 14-21, determined that 71 per cent of people were worried about the second wave of COVID-19 throughout the country. For the same people, 40 per cent said their mental health had deteriorated since March, with the decline being felt more in those who are unemployed, at 61 per cent.

Almost half of women, 45 per cent, and a third of men, 34 per cent, say their mental health has gone downhill since March.

Out of everyone surveyed, 10 per cent said they had been experiencing thoughts or feelings of suicide. A similar survey saw only six per cent had these thoughts in the spring.

The survey had a sample size of 3,027 people, aged 18 or older, living throughout Canada.

Despite the struggles that so many people are going through, Rita Field, executive director at the Saskatoon Crisis Intervention Service, believes it’s more important than ever that people reach out for support.

“We’re finding 30 per cent of all of our calls have something to do with the pandemic,” she said. “It could be practical help, but it can also relate to their emotions and their mental health.

“People are reaching out for help, and that’s important.”

Field says it has been challenging for her staff working in 24-hour support centres as they adjust to the busiest time of the year while also operating under COVID-19 precautions.

“It has been a challenge, and really speaks to the commitment of our staff,” she said. “We’re just very grateful that we have not had to cut back or discontinue service in any way. We are a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week service. We want to normalize the need to reach out and provide support at the level that we can.”

Field says despite the hardships that people are going through, there is a silver lining.

“Everything’s been hard, but I’ve also seen just people really working together and being grateful for the help that they have,” she said. “A lot of people are figuratively, I guess, linking arms, because we can’t do it for real. I’m optimistic that together we can feel more of a sense of hope for the future.

“Better days are ahead. It’s important to be supportive of one another.”

A full list of crisis hotlines can be found by checking out the Sask. 211 website.