COVID-19 fatigue: One third of Canadians struggling with mental health, poll suggests
One in three Canadians are struggling with their mental health as the COVID-19 pandemic enters into its third year, according to a new poll from the Angus Reid Institute.
Researchers said that the picture of mental health in Canada is "one of exhaustion and increasing trauma" as more people reported feeling fatigued, frustrated and anxious since Omicron became the dominant strain of COVID-19 in the country.
Thirty-six per cent of Canadians reported that they have been grappling with mental health issues, up sharply from the one-quarter who said so in November, the Institute said.
When asked to summarize how they've been feeling in recent weeks, nearly half (48 per cent) of Canadians polled said that they've been feeling "fatigued."
Only one in 10 survey respondents chose "happy" and 23 per cent chose "depressed," the Institute added.
The data suggests that about three in 10 Canadians say they speak regularly about their mental health with friends and family.
But those conversations became more scarce among men aged 55 and older.
"Just 11 per cent in that demographic group say they talk to their friends about how they're feeling, while one-quarter (23 per cent) talk to family," the study reads.
However, researchers found that women between the ages of 18 and 54 were much more likely to have this type of discourse.
The study also suggests 66 per cent of those who have been struggling with depression and anxiety – or know someone who is – say that it has worsened during the pandemic.
These same trends are noted for those who perceive people in their social circle dealing with addictions and alcoholism, the Institute said.
The poll was conducted using a representative randomized sample of 1,509 Canadian adults who are members of Angus Reid Forum, and carries a possible margin of error or plus or minus 2.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ottawa public school board, 3 Toronto-area school boards launch lawsuit against social media giants
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and three school boards in the Toronto-area have launched legal action against social media giants, accusing them of "disrupting students' fundamental right to education."
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
Statistics Canada reports real GDP up 0.6% in January as Quebec strikes end
Statistics Canada says real gross domestic product grew 0.6 per cent in January, helped by the end of public sector strikes in Quebec in November and December.
Tipping is off the table at this Toronto restaurant
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff.
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 mm among weather alerts in effect for 7 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres, air quality advisories and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.
Ukrainian child asylum seekers in St. John’s get class of their own
Roughly 50 children will gathered in a St. John’s classroom for the first time on Saturday for unique lessons on Ukrainian language, culture and history.
A Nigerian woman reviewed some tomato puree online. Now she faces jail
A Nigerian woman who wrote an online review of a can of tomato puree is facing imprisonment after its manufacturer accused her of making a “malicious allegation” that damaged its business.
Donald Trump assails judge and his daughter after gag order in N.Y. hush-money criminal case
Donald Trump lashed out Wednesday at the New York judge who put him under a gag order that bars him from commenting publicly about witnesses, prosecutors, court staff and jurors in his upcoming hush-money criminal trial.