A Nanos Research poll, conducted on behalf of the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC), has found that many people in Canada have seen their stress levels double since the onset of COVID-19.

The survey of 1,049 Canadian residents conducted between April 25 and 27 sheds new light on the way people are describing their mental health during COVID-19, as well as what they are doing to improve it.

The number of participants who reported feeling stressed regularly or all the time has more than doubled since the onset of COVID-19, with fears over physical well-being and personal finances cited as the primary reasons. They are also aware of a decline in their mental health, with nearly 40 per cent reporting that their mental health is worse or somewhat worse than before the outbreak. But, despite their self-awareness, more than three in four people report that, over the last month, they have almost never or never sought mental health information online.

Fortunately, more online mental health resources than ever are available right now, and the list is growing. The MHCC’s own COVID-19 Resource Hub includes curated tips, guides, and other tools to help improve mental health during the outbreak. The federal government has also recently launched its Wellness Together Canada portal to provide mental health resources and connect people with the support they need.