‘Such despair they can’t see past it’: Pandemic-driven mental health crises on the rise in Canada
Posted December 3, 2020 6:58 am.
Last Updated December 3, 2020 6:59 am.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — As the second wave of COVID-19 sweeps across the nation, the damage the drawn-out emergency has done to Canadians’ mental health is becoming more clear, and we need to be checking in on one another more often, say experts.
The most recent survey from the Canadian Mental Health Association shows a sharp spike in suicidality, and crisis centre workers across the country say their work has become more emotionally draining.
“I am afraid that many people are in such despair that they can’t see past it,” says CMHA’s National CEO, Margaret Eaton.
“Cold weather, uncertainty, eroded social networks, and restrictions on holiday gatherings are hitting at a time when people are already anxious, hopeless, and fearful that things are going to get worse,” she adds.
Worrying numbers regarding Canadians’ mental health have experts advising we reach out to loved ones and check as feelings of despair and isolation take hold ahead of the holidays. A survey from the @CMHA_NTL shows a sharp rise in suicidality, since spring (and over previous yrs)
— Ash Kelly she/her (settler) (@AshDKelly) December 3, 2020
While 40 per cent of the 3,027 Canadian adults surveyed said their mental health has declined since March, 21 per cent of Canadians said they are hopeful.
However, the survey was executed in September, before major spikes in daily case counts, increased restrictions, and the recent spate of record-setting deaths in B.C..
Increased feelings of despair and hopelessness were more pronounced in people who identified as Indigenous (54 per cent), LGBTQ2+ (54 per cent), disability (50 per cent) or women (45 per cent).
Those who are unemployed (61 per cent), have a pre-existing mental health issue (61 per cent), and younger people aged 18-24 (60 per cent), also experienced heightened anxiety and stress above the national average.
Only 34 per cent of those who identified as male said they felt their mental health declined between March and September.
Increase in suicidal thoughts and behaviors
Dr. Allison Crawford with the Canada Suicide Prevention Service says she has seen a 200 per cent increase in calls over last year.
“A number of those calls relate to the COVID-19 pandemic and talk about anxieties or worries related to the pandemic,” she says.
Dr. Allison Crawford with the Canada Suicide Prevention Service says she has seen a 200 % increase in calls over last year.
“A number of those calls relate to the COVID-19 pandemic and talk about anxieties or worries related to the pandemic,” she says: more on @NEWS1130
— Ash Kelly she/her (settler) (@AshDKelly) December 3, 2020
Hannah Storrs with Distress Centre Calgary says she only used to get calls related to suicide occasionally, but now they’re back-to-back.
“People are dealing with a lot right now; they’re dealing with isolation, they’re dealing with mental health issues, they’re dealing with financial issues, on top of just being scared of what could happen in the world,” she says.
She says her work has become more stressful and draining as well.
“I have to take more breaks during the shifts that I’m on to take the time after a call that’s been really intense or just been a lot different than what I’m used to. I just need to take that step to be like, ‘Woah,’ and calm myself, so that I can actually give the next caller everything I can for them just like I did with the previous one.”
The CMHA’s Eaton says she’s very worried about the “tremendous emotional toll that we’re all experiencing at this time,” and she’s urging people to reach out to loved ones and take the time to check-in and make real connections.
“Reach out to each other. Social isolation is one of the big issues that drives these feelings of low mental health so do connect with friends and family, as much as you can, virtually, at a distance, and that will help,” says Eaton.
Anyone who needs help can find it 24 hours a day through B.C.’s crisis lines. A full list is available at crisislines.bc.ca.
