While the country’s economy and businesses take a hard hit amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, so has another important factor — mental health.
The results of a recent survey from the Angus Reid Institute show that half of all Canadians feel that their mental health has worsened during this time, signalling that the impacts of the virus are being felt across the nation.
The study surveyed 1,912 Canadian adults between the dates of April 15th and 17th, and asked how the current physical distancing measures, closures, and other regulations have affected them over the past six weeks.
Precisely 50 per cent of respondents stated that their mental health has worsened over the past few weeks, with only 7 per cent stating that they are doing better than they were six weeks ago.
The other 42 per cent said that there had been no change at all.
When asked about physical health, slightly fewer (42 per cent) stated that theirs had worsened, and 12 per cent felt it had improved.
The Angus Reid Study noted that women aged 18 to 54 were most affected, while men 55 and over say they were least affected.
It also found that the female group is more likely to be caring for children and parents during this time, which could play a factor in increased stress.
Canadians surveyed have also said that relationships with people outside of their homes have worsened, which may not come as a surprise.
With the inability to see friends and family members not in their household, one-in-three — or 32 per cent — say that the social aspect of their life is now worse than it was before.
