Look After Your Mental Health

The past few months have offered some of the most unique and challenging times in Canadian history. Adapting to a new situation takes time, effort and patience.

As we’ve begun to settle into the new routines required by COVID-19 mitigation efforts, a few unintended side effects have become more and more clear — perhaps none more so than the impact that anxiety and social distancing are having on Canadians’ mental health.

“Everyone is coping with these unusual circumstances in their own way,” said Gareth Jones, President and CEO of the Canada Safety Council. “Too many Canadians are experiencing a negative impact on their mental health, and this unintended consequence presents a new challenge that needs much greater attention and focus.”

According to a Statistics Canada poll of 46,000 Canadians, more than half of all respondents indicated that their mental health was “somewhat worse” or “much worse” than it was prior to the physical distancing measures. The response was especially notable in the demographic of 15 to 24 year olds, where approximately two thirds of all respondents in the age bracket reported worse mental health.

An additional 88 per cent of all respondents reported feeling at least one symptom of anxiety, which can include “feeling nervous, anxious or on edge,” “becoming easily annoyed or irritable” and having “trouble relaxing.”

Self-care is an important aspect of day-to-day life, and a vital tool in avoiding burnout and in mitigating anxiety, stress and depression.

Please view the infographic below for important tips on looking after your mental health and ensuring that you’re being as kind, empathetic and understanding toward yourself as you are toward other people.