Waterloo-
Experts find that nearly half of Canadians are feeling frustrated, anxious and fatigued amid the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A survey by the Angus Reid Institute says 36 per cent of Canadians are struggling with their mental health, an increase from last November, when just a quarter of those surveyed reported mental health issues.
“People were rebooking vacations, buying hockey [game] tickets again,” said Angus Reid Institute President Shachi Kurl.
Last fall, the prospect of a return to normality was just around the corner, before the Omicron variant caused a spike in COVID-19 infection.
“This wave of Omicron has hit us locally here very, very hard. People are going through a big problem,” said Helen Fishburn, executive director of the Canadian Waterloo Wellington Mental Health Association (CMHA WW).
The institute’s survey of respondents revealed:
- 48 percent feel ‘fatigued’
- 40 percent feel ‘frustrated’
- 37 percent feel ‘anxious’
- 23 percent consider themselves ‘depressed’
- 21 percent feel ‘normal’
- 12 percent say they are ‘happy’
Statistics show that younger Canadians are more likely to report feeling unhappy or depressed.
“Either because young adults really feel like they’re having a hard time, or just because of the way they were raised and how young people are encouraged to talk about what’s going on,” Kurl said.
Further evaluation of the respondents showed:
- 68 percent spoke with a loved one.
- 31 percent spoke to a professional.
- 30 percent received a prescription
- 11 percent called a mental health hotline.
- 8 percent visited an emergency room or urgent care.
The Canadian Mental Health Association said pandemic fatigue and winter weather are likely major factors.
Anyone who needs help can contact the association’s 24-hour hotline toll-free at 1-844-437-3247.
