Some staggering findings in a survey looking at the impact of COVID-19 on mental well-being and substance use in Ontario.
New research shows two-thirds of Ontarians, or 67%, feel that the mental health impacts of coronavirus are going to be serious and lasting.
45% of respondents report that their mental health has deteriorated since the pandemic began.
42% of Ontario’s adults have increased their substance or gambling use since the crisis started.
If they were experiencing a serious mental health issues, 55% of Ontarians’ would seek in-person therapy or counselling compared to just 24% that are likely to seek a call or text helpline and primary care for support.
Three quarters of respondents believed that the government should put an equal focus on taking care of Ontarians’ mental health as physical health during the pandemic.
Addictions and Mental Health Ontario is calling on the provincial government to increase investments in community-based and intensive mental health and addictions services.
Officials stress “The new data is further proof that we need to drastically increase access to these services that go beyond offering crisis hotlines or online support.”