Following the release of preliminary research earlier this month, Morneau Shepell today launched its full Mental Health Index™ report. The report highlights the differences among provinces, showing a notable change in the Prairies.  

The Mental Health Index™ showed the biggest decline in mental health and well-being within Alberta (-14.3), Manitoba (-13.5) and Saskatchewan (-12.9) against the benchmark of 75. In comparison, the Maritimes (-12.4), Quebec (-12.2), British Columbia (-11.0) and Newfoundland and Labrador (-10.9) fared slightly better and Ontario (-10.7) had the smallest drop compared to the pre-2020 benchmark of 75.

When analyzing individual households, those who identify as female were significantly more likely to report a negative impact to their mental health as a result of the pandemic, declining 14.6 points (compared to males declining 8.8 points). This trend followed for those in younger age groups (those aged 20-29 reporting the most negative impact), individuals that have lost their job in the past six months and those in the lowest income bracket (under $30,000 per annum).

The report has also been expanded to compare the level of mental stress individuals have experienced as a result of COVID-19. The mental stress change score compares stress in the prior month to the current month. Comparing against a benchmark score of 50, which indicates no change from the prior month, Canada’s mental stress change score increased to 74.7. Within the country, mental stress change scores increased in Newfoundland and Labrador (82.1), Alberta (77.5), Manitoba (77.4), the Maritime provinces (76.6), Saskatchewan (75.3), British Columbia (74.7), Ontario (75.5) and Quebec (72.1) – all against the benchmark score of 50.