Morneau Shepell released its monthly Mental Health Index™ report, revealing a consistent trend of negative mental health among Canadians at the six-month mark of the pandemic. The findings show that strained mental health of Canadians may be here for the long term, driven by concerns about the second wave of the pandemic, an impending lockdown and continued uncertainties regarding when things may settle, and what life may look like.

Changes in physical workplace and routine are having a significant impact on Canadian employees’ mental health. Individuals who recently returned to the jobsite had a lower mental health score (-11.0), than those who either remained at the worksite (-7.1) or had always been and continued to work from home (-8.6). Those with the lowest scores are employees who are working from home as a result of the pandemic (-11.4) and those who are both working from home and at the jobsite (-12.9).

The pandemic is also impacting employee productivity. Almost four in 10 (36 per cent) of employees indicated that they are finding it more difficult to feel motivated to work and 34 per cent of respondents said they find it more difficult now than before the pandemic to concentrate on work.

Despite the decline in mental health and risks to physical health, many Canadians have become less willing to access care. A significant proportion of individuals indicate that the pandemic has made them less likely to access healthcare for physical (29 per cent) and mental health needs (24 per cent) than prior to COVID-19.