New survey shows anxiety, loneliness, depression at highest level since start of pandemic

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health’s survey found a quarter of adult Canadians are feeling moderate to severe levels of anxiety, which is higher than the 19 percent reported in the last survey completed in July 2021

CITYnews halifax \ Chris Halef

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A new study shows adults across the country are experiencing the highest levels of anxiety, loneliness and depression they have felt since the start of the pandemic.

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health’s survey found a quarter of Canadians are feeling moderate to severe levels of anxiety, which is higher than the 19 percent reported in the last survey completed in July 2021.

The survey also found reports of loneliness are 24.1 percent now compared to 18.8 per cent last summer while reports of depression are 22.3 percent now compared to 18.6 per cent last summer.

Dr. David Gratzer, a psychiatrist with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, told CityNews Halifax the pandemic has impacted adults in different ways.

“For some, the pandemic is a nuisance so they’re no longer going to work downtown and they’re wrestling with childcare obligations,” he said. “But for other patients I’ve talked to, this pandemic is deeply unsettling and unnerving, and it’s not just the physical concerns. In fact, for many of my patients, it’s the other stuff, like concerns about financial issues, about the next paycheck, about making rent and so on.”

Gratzer said as the pandemic enters its third year, people need to pay closer attention to mental health consequences.

“Particularly for people who are vulnerable, like people with history of mental health problems, front line workers, people who’ve had a difficult time with COVID but survived,” said Gratzer. “We’ve talked a lot about a response to COVID, but we need to remember that the response must robustly include addressing mental health issues.”

He said those that work in the mental health sector are concerned, adding that even when the pandemic ends, people may be experiencing mental health problems for months or even years, afterwards.

According to the survey, reports of moderate to severe anxiety, loneliness and feelings of depression increased significantly among women, but only slightly for men.

It also found fear of contracting COVID-19 doubled from 14.2 per cent to 28.3 per cent.