Today is #BellLetsTalk and while it’s a great initiative, mental health is something we should be talking about every day and ending the stigma. In 2021, Canadians reported an increase in stress, anxiety, depression, and loneliness. In fact, almost half of all Canadians reported that their mental health has worsened since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Distress centres are a vital part of our community providing mental health support and resources to those in need. Across the country, these centres are seeing a surge in demand for mental health services.
Reports of moderate to severe anxiety, loneliness and feelings of depression increased significantly among women in Canada, but only slightly for men.
“These larger increases among women may reflect that they are often carrying a disproportionate burden, including imbalances in care-giving responsibilities and frontline work,” said Samantha Wells, senior director of the Institute for Mental Health Policy Research at CAMH.
Also workers with jobs that expose them to a high risk of contracting COVID-19 reported “large increases in adverse mental health symptoms,” with 37 per cent reporting moderate to severe anxiety compared to 23.5 per cent last summer and 35.7 per cent reported feelings of depression compared to 24. 8 per cent.
“While people are incredibly resilient, as this pandemic wears on it’s the people working on the front lines who are among the most affected,” said Wells.
If you or someone you know is struggling, YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
Canadian Mental Health Association, Halifax-Dartmouth
https://www.cmhahalifaxdartmouth.ca/contact
Nova Scotia Mental Health Addiction
Nova Scotia Mental Health and Addictions (nshealth.ca)
Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia
Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia (mentalhealthns.ca)
IWK HEALTH CENTRE
IWK Health Centre – IWK Health (nshealth.ca)
Nova Scotia Mental Health Services
Mental Health Services | novascotia.ca
This is Also Amy’s story with anxiety and depression! It’s ok to not be ok. It’s not ok to do nothing!
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