COVID-19 restrictions, flooding in B.C. impacting mental health over holidays
Posted December 19, 2021 11:12 am.
Last Updated December 19, 2021 12:12 pm.
A recent survey from Maru-Blue on behalf of the Canadian Mental Health Association shows 52 per cent of Canadians say the holidays are not the most wonderful time of year and negatively impact their mental health.
As flood repairs are underway and the holiday season around the corner, Jonny Morris, CEO of the B.C. Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) says the mental health impacts may be more severe than usual.
“It’s been a difficult year for all of us, but for flood-impacted farmers, they’re facing a loss of homes, livelihoods, crops, and livestock… Natural disasters have an immense impact on emotional health, and for those who are affected, they may experience psychological distress, sometimes soon after, but sometimes longer after the event,” Morris explains.
Record-setting rainfall caused widespread flooding and landslides throughout southern B.C. last month, forcing thousands from their homes, inundating a prime agricultural area and wiping out critical transportation infrastructure.
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As many people displaced by the flooding will not experience a regular holiday season, Pamela Findling from the CMHA says it is important to reach out for help during these difficult times.
“Feeling negative feelings is not necessarily a bad thing. But it’s when it gets to a point of being overwhelming that you need to reach out for help. Some of those physical symptoms that can manifest include headaches, you might be tired, trouble sleeping, your stomach might be upset. You might eat more, you might eat less. So kind of dramatic changes in your physical well-being are often an indication of your mental well-being,” Findling explains.
With the impacts of the pandemic and natural disasters, Findling says it is important to “manage expectations” this time of year.
“Life is not a Christmas movie that you see on T.V. There’s bumps and there’s ups and downs and so don’t expect everything to be perfect all the time.”
As British Columbians continue to navigate the challenges brought on by natural disasters over the past year, CMHA experts agree reaching out for help and seeking mental health resources is more important than ever.
A list of free, confidential resources is available online.
With files from Azzaya Khan
