COVID-19 continues to take a toll on our mental health.
According to a recent survey conducted by United Way Centraide Canada and 211 data, 76% of Canadians say the pandemic has had an effect on their mental well-being.
Fifty-Seven per cent say it has caused stress, 53% say anxiety has set in and 36% say it has resulted in depression.
There was a dramatic increase in the number of times Canadians reached out to the 211 referral service in January compared to last August.
Those searching for counselling went up 276%, mental health care facilities 112%, and mental health assessment and treatment 105%.
The number of calls to 211 from March to December 2020 was 30% higher than calls received during the same period in 2019.
The top reasons people contacted 211 include:
-Food access
-Financial aid
-Mental health and addictions services
-Housing
-COVID-19 information
The pandemic has also created a new group of vulnerable Canadians.
Nineteen per cent of those surveyed say they haven’t been able to pay one or more bill since the start of COVID-19.
Of those people, 73% said they didn’t have difficulty paying bills before the pandemic.
Twelve per cent of Canadians say they have experienced food insecurity at some point.
Of those people, 63% say they didn’t have any difficulty with food security in the past.
