The Canadian Mental Health Association has launched a report that shows most Ontarians are continuing to deal with negative emotions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The report was released in time for Mental Health Week, which launched Monday.
The report, which surveyed roughly 3,000 people across Ontario in January, says 84 per cent of adults said they were feeling worried, anxious, bored, stressed, lonely, isolated or sad.
Data also suggests 76 per cent of Ontarians reported coping at least fairly well with the stress of the pandemic. Sixty per cent of participants also said their screen time increased and 31 per cent reported consuming more food.
“The pandemic is one of those situations where it causes so many different things,” Alec King with CMHA Durham said.
“It’s not just (the pandemic), it’s also the isolation, the uncertainty, the worry and the concern that people are feeling.”
King says while the data is discouraging, difficult emotions may be an appropriate response to Ontarian’s current circumstances.
“For Mental Health Week we want to talk about how it’s good to give emotions voice,” he said.
“Positive mental health isn’t about always being happy. It’s about being able to express your emotions in a way that’s healthy and good.”
Jamie Andrews was diagnosed with depression in his early 20s. He, along with many others who have struggled with their mental health, are sharing their experiences through a new mental health podcast called ‘Over Thinking.’
“We have feelings and those feelings are telling us something, but it’s up to us to look inside and see what it is,” he said.
“We need to normalize this conversation, and that’s one of the things that I hope our goal is for the overthinking podcast.”
Other mental health advocates, like Olabiyi Dipeolu, have been working tirelessly to ensure people of all income levels can access mental health services. Dipeolu’s online retail store, Maqoba, donates its net profits to mental health services like the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). It also navigates users towards free, accessible resources for those who are currently struggling.
“Even though we live in a wonderful country and we have access to mental health, not everyone knows how to find those resources,” he said.
“100 per cent of the net proceeds go to those who can’t afford mental health treatment. This is in the form of get well packages, therapy sessions, and housing opportunities.”
The CMHA encourages those currently facing mental health challenges to contact the organization. Mental health advocates encourage people to turn to friends and loved ones for additional support.