The Pandemic’s Toll on Mental Health
2020 will go down in history as a time of public health, economic, and societal crisis. Less acknowledged is the significant toll it has taken on mental health. How would you describe this toll?
There are so many layers to it, but overall, COVID-19 has had a massive impact on our mental health. Government responses to the pandemic have touched us all, ranging from border closings, to physical distancing, to funding relief, so it makes sense that mental health — along with addiction issues — have been significantly impacted.
Certain sectors of the population are more vulnerable than others: Youths aged 18 to 22 are particularly vulnerable, given that they are on the verge of adulthood; women and people living in poverty have been shown to be more vulnerable; and of course, the elderly have been severely impacted. The list goes on and on: People with pre-existing mental health and addiction issues are at greater risk, and from a safety and mental strain standpoint, this has hit essential service providers very hard — not just healthcare workers, but also frontline grocery workers and teachers. And of course, we can’t forget those directly impacted by COVID-19, either themselves or via a family member.
Common symptoms that are cropping up include irritability, fatigue, severe mood changes, and
