TORONTO – Canadians navigating COVID-19 are turning to family and friends to help them manage their mental health. In a recent survey by Sun Life, over half (56%) of Canadians surveyed said COVID-19 is negatively impacting their mental health. Of those respondents, less than half (42%) are currently seeking treatment or support.
For the respondents receiving treatment or support, they are managing their mental health by:
– reaching out to friends and family (64%);
– keeping busy at home (62%);
– accessing self-help (e.g. online or other resources) (40%);
– and, seeking medical advice or treatment (31%).
“Just as we manage our fitness and nutrition, we need to manage our mental well-being. It’s more important than ever to check in on yourself, and get the support you need before you have a serious mental health concern, said Jacques Goulet, president of Sun Life Canada and Lumino Health.
When it comes to how Canadians are managing their mental health, the survey found differences across gender and age groups. For example, 45% of negatively impacted women said they are receiving treatment or support compared to only 38% of men.
Impacted Canadians 18 to 34 years of age managing their mental health are the most likely to use self-help resources (52%), but are the least likely to access medical advice and treatment (25%). In comparison, only 20% of those 55 years of age and older are using self-help resources, but they are the most likely to access medical advice and treatment (54%).
“Having a strong social network and talking with friends or family can be very therapeutic but sometimes more help may be needed,” said Mental Health Solutions director Dr. Sam Mikail. “It’s important to understand how you are feeling and know the warning signs. Working with a health care practitioner can equip you with strategies.”
Mikail recommends talking to a mental health professional if you are experiencing any of the following for longer than two weeks:
– feeling sad, angry, or “not yourself”;
– eating or sleeping more or less than usual;
– withdrawing from family and friends;
– using drugs, alcohol, or food as a means of coping; and
– having difficulty working through the loss of someone important to you.
A variety of resources including self-assessments are available on Lumino Health. This free platform available to all Canadians. and can direct them to resources that will meet specific needs and provide access to counselling by phone, text or live chat.
The survey is based on findings of an Ipsos poll conducted between April 29 and May 1. A sample of 1,000 Canadians was drawn from the Ipsos I-Say online panel aged 18 and older. The data for Canadians surveyed was weighted to ensure the sample’s regional, age, and gender composition reflects the actual Canadian population.
