Recent data from the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) shows that the pandemic’s second wave has intensified feelings of stress, anxiety, despair, hopelessness, and suicidal thoughts among Canadians.
In 2019, about 2.5 per cent of Canadians reported having suicidal thoughts. After the first wave of the pandemic struck last March, that number jumped to six per cent and then jumped again to 10 per cent when the second wave began in the fall.
Suicidal thoughts and feelings are higher in vulnerable subgroups, including in the LGBTQ+ community (28 per cent, up from 14 per cent), people with pre-existing mental illnesses or mental health issues (27 per cent, up from 18 per cent), those with disabilities (24 per cent, up from 15 per cent), those aged 25 to 34 (21 per cent), those aged 18 to 24 (19 per cent) and Indigenous people (20 per cent), based on a survey of 3,027 Canadians that the CMHA and University of British Columbia conducted in the fall.
“We can’t just oversimplify (and say) it’s because of COVID because there are so many other things that determine (the numbers),” Phyllis O’Connor, executive director of the Saskatchewan CMHA branch, told the Moose Jaw Express. “But there definitely looks to be a pattern there, where that time period has increased those thoughts.”
About 71 per cent of people are worried about the second wave, while 21 per cent feel hopeful, according to the CMHA survey. As winter approaches, 40 per cent of Canadians have said their mental health has deteriorated since March. This decline is more pronounced in those who are unemployed (61 per cent), people aged 18 to 24 (60 per cent), those with pre-existing mental health issues (61 per cent), Aboriginal people (54 per cent), the gay community (54 per cent), and those with a disability (50 per cent).
Almost half of women (45 per cent) and one-third of men (34 per cent) say their mental health has declined.
Saskatchewan results
In Saskatchewan, O’Connor noted there had been an increase in anxiety of 50 per cent; in stress of 41 per cent; in sadness of 23 per cent; and depression of 21 per cent.
“COVID is impacting people on many levels. It (the numbers) is very concerning. We’re certainly seeing a higher second wave of the COVID virus than back in March, and with it, we’re seeing increased anxiety,” she continued, noting eight per cent of Saskatchewanians have had suicidal thoughts while two per cent have engaged in acts of self-harm.
Nearly 39 per cent of Canadians are worried about finances, with 48 per cent of parents with kids under age 18 and 51 per cent of those with income under $25,000 report financial concerns, the survey showed. Thirteen per cent of parents are experiencing suicidal thoughts or feelings, 27 per cent are worried about food insecurity and 18 per cent are concerned about domestic abuse.
Substance abuse
Nearly one in five people — or 17 per cent — have engaged in unhealthy coping strategies during this time, including increased alcohol consumption (20 per cent) and substance abuse such as cannabis (nine per cent) and prescription medication (seven per cent), the news release added.
The increase in substance abuse is reflected in the number of overdose deaths in Saskatchewan, particularly in Regina and Saskatoon, said O’Connor. While a direct connection with the pandemic can’t be completely made, she pointed out it is “suspicious” that such deaths have increased during this time.
The Saskatchewan Coroners Service said 323 people died or are suspected of having died from overdoses between Jan. 1 and Dec. 1, 2020. Of those, 122 are confirmed overdose deaths while 201 are presumed to be but are still under investigation.
The previous record was 171 overdose deaths in 2018.
“It’s definitely something we have to be concerned about … . (Those are) pretty sobering numbers,” O’Connor added
Help available
There are mental health supports available, such as calling 811 for anxiety or isolation, or 911 or mobile crisis units for suicidal thoughts. CMHA branches in the province have phone lines to call for help or for directions to other supports.
In Moose Jaw, the wellness support response line is 1-306-630-5968, or visit https://moosejaw.cmha.ca.
“There are things out there to help, but of course, people need to reach out to (acquire) that help too and recognize that it’s OK not to be doing well,” O’Connor added. “There’s no shame in reaching out for some support.”
