More than half of Canadians experiencing
mental health issues during COVID-19
TORONTO, May 11, 2020 /CNW/ - Millions of
Canadians haven't left their homes in weeks. For many, the only
outing is going to the grocery store or popping into a pharmacy. In
a recent survey of Canadians conducted by Sun Life, 56% said
COVID-19 is having a negative impact on their mental health, with
social isolation the top contributing factor.
Interestingly, the Sun Life survey reveals COVID-19 is having a
greater negative impact on the mental health of women (62%)
compared to men (49%). As to what Canadians feel is contributing to
their mental health challenges, a majority cite social isolation
(66%). Other factors that are having an impact include:
- Concern for loved ones (57%)
- Fear of contracting COVID-19 (56%)
- Financial concerns (51%)
"The COVID-19 pandemic is the most serious public health
emergency of our lifetime," said Jacques
Goulet, President, Sun Life Canada and Lumino Health.
"Canada was already facing a
mental health crisis. The pandemic adds new layers of stress and
we're deeply concerned about the long-term mental health
implications that may follow. At Sun Life, we're focused on
supporting our employees, advisors, Clients and all Canadians to
manage their mental well-being."
Close to 60% of Canadians whose mental health has been
negatively impacted said they are not receiving treatment or social
support. When they were asked what barriers were stopping them from
receiving support for their mental health, they listed:
- I can't afford it (22%)
- I don't know where to go or who to ask for help (17%)
- I am embarrassed to ask for help (12%)
"During the pandemic people are feeling a mix of emotions
including anxiety, stress, fear and nervousness," said Dr.
Sam Mikail, Director, Mental Health
Solutions, Sun Life. "It's important to listen to your body,
understand how you're feeling and reach out for help. Connecting
with a friend or family is a great first step. But don't hesitate
to seek professional advice. There are many resources either
through your employee benefits or free in the community that can
help you manage your mental health. We're all in this
together."
Dr. Mikail offers the following advice for Canadians to help
manage their mental well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic:
- Look to see what extended health care benefits your employer
offers, including Employee and Family Assistance Programs.
- Take advantage of free platforms such as Lumino Health, a tool
that helps you search for trusted health care providers and offers
health related resources.
- If you are living alone and are not physically vulnerable, be
sure to get out at least once a day while following the recommended
precautions.
- If you are living with other family members, give yourself
permission to set some time for yourself. We all need some alone
time.
- Stay connected to your support network using virtual technology
and be honest about how you're feeling.
For information and resources available to support mental
wellness, visit our COVID-19 website:
www.sunlife.ca/ca/COVID-19.
About the survey
The survey is based on findings of an
Ipsos poll conducted between April 29 and
May 1, 2020. A sample of 1,000 Canadians was drawn from the
Ipsos I-Say online panel aged 18 and older. The data for Canadians
surveyed was weighted to ensure the sample's regional, age, and
gender composition reflects that of the actual Canadian
population.
The precision of Ipsos online polls is measured using a
credibility interval. In this case, the poll is accurate to within
+/- 3.5% at 95% confidence level had all Canadian adults been
polled. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other
sources of error, including, but not limited to methodological
change, coverage error and measurement error.
About Sun Life
Sun Life is a leading international
financial services organization providing insurance, wealth and
asset management solutions to individual and corporate Clients. Sun
Life has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including
Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong
Kong, the Philippines,
Japan, Indonesia, India, China,
Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of March 31, 2020, Sun Life
had total assets under management of $1,023
billion. For more information, please visit
www.sunlife.com.
Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New
York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the
ticker symbol SLF.
Note to editors: All figures in Canadian dollars
Media Relations Contact:
Meredith Mundick
Manager, Corporate Communications
T. 416-979-4048
meredith.mundick@sunlife.com
SOURCE Sun Life Financial Inc.