Canadians navigating COVID-19 are turning to family and friends to help them manage their mental health. In a recent survey by Sun Life, over half (56%) of Canadians surveyed said COVID-19 is negatively impacting their mental health. Of those respondents, less than half (42%) are currently seeking treatment or support.
For the respondents receiving treatment or support, they are managing their mental health by:
- Reaching out to friends and family (64%)
- Keeping busy at home (62%)
- Accessing self-help (e.g. online or other resources) (40%)
And, seeking medical advice or treatment (31%)
When it comes to how Canadians are managing their mental health, the Sun Life survey found differences across gender and age groups. For example, 45% of negatively impacted women said they are receiving treatment or support compared to only 38% of men.
Impacted Canadians 18-34 years of age managing their mental heath are the most likely to use self-help resources (52%), but are the least likely to access medical advice and treatment (25%). In comparison, only 20% of those 55 years of age and older are using self-help resources, but they are the most likely to access medical advice and treatment (54%).
