Assessing the mental health impact of COVID-19 on Canadians

Gustavo S. Betini

Impact

  • Findings from the study have been utilized into research briefs that are shared with stakeholder including health public officials and governments to further implement policy change and support public health initiatives to mitigate the mental health burden of COVID-19.

  • The researcher received an additional 2 years of funding from Mitacs and MHRC and contributed to MHRC obtaining funding from Health Canada to continue their national polling initiative.

  • Data analyzed from the study has been utilized by MHRC and other stakeholders to better understand the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of the general population in Canada. For instance, research briefs provide essential information to Public Health Canada and the Federal COVID-19 Taskforce to inform public health initiatives that alleviates the mental health burden of COVID-19. 

  • Ontario

  • Studentship

  • University of Waterloo

  • Mental Health Research Canada

  • Mitacs

  • 2021-2023

  • Population Health

  • All communities

About the Project

The research project aims to better understand the mental health of the general population in Canada throughout the pandemic and its recovery (after two years of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic). To accomplish this goal, perceived levels of anxiety and depression have been examined taking into consideration potential risk factors (e.g., age, income, gender, resilience) and key sectors of the population (e.g., younger Canadians, 2SLGBTQIA+, racialized communities, and parents of young children).

Methodology

The researcher has collaborated with Mental Health Research Canada analyzing the data collected from the national polling initiative. This dataset has been used to provide a dynamic picture of the mental health of Canadians in real-time over the COVID-19 pandemic and the recovery period. The researcher delves deeper into the data to investigate how the various demographics of MHRC polls respond to mental health questions. The results inform policymakers to act in improving the mental health of Canadians considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Canadians.

Findings

  • Around 20% of the population had high levels of anxiety during the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Levels since July 2022 are around 10%. Although this decline clearly represents an improvement of mental health of Canadians compared to the first 2 years of the pandemic, they are still higher than the anxiety levels reported before the pandemic.

  • The mental health of some groups including younger Canadians, 2SLGBTQIA+, racialized communities, and parents of young children were most negatively impacted by the pandemic.

  • 2SLGBTQIA+ communities experienced higher levels of anxiety compared to other disproportionate groups.

  • Close to 1/20 Canadians feel the need to access care but has not done so due to barriers (e.g., not knowing where to access care, long wait times, not being able to afford care, prefer to manage themselves, etc.)

Project Outreach

The project currently operates exclusively in Canada, but there are intentions to expand its reach internationally. It originated in Ontario and later extended its services to all provinces across Canada.

Resources Created