COVID survey reveals worsening mental health in BC

Monday July 20, 2020 ~ VICTORIA, BC

by Mary Brooke ~ West Shore Voice News

As part of her media teleconference today July 20, BC Public Health Officer Dr Bonnie Henry went over some of the details from the public survey available online May 18 to 31, to which about 394,000 people responded.

Respondents were largely women (70% of total respondents). Responses were received across most age groups, though with fewer respondents in the north and not all racial groups participated equally.

There were various challenges during the height of the COVID-19 lockdown phase. Work was impaired for 69% of respondents, and 62% had concerns for the health of a vulnerable family member.

Mental health challenges:

Mental health is worsening for 47% of respondents. Dr Henry said this ‘early snapshot’ of the impacts of flattening the COVID-19 curve caused worsening mental health for many people, but that it was “a surprise to no one”.

There were additional economic burdens, and young people felt a greater impact than many others, she explained.

In addition to already existing mental health supports, the BC Government has launched a variety of mental health supports this year, to help people cope with impacts of the pandemic with directions for all age groups (children, teens, adults and seniors), caregivers, indigenous people, and workers.

Economic challenges:

Accessing health care was a challenge for 33% of respondents, with 31% having increased difficulty meeting financial needs. Food insecurity produced worry for 15% of respondents, and not working due to COVID-19 also concerned 15% of respondents.

Participant profile:

When it came to the income levels of people who responded in the greatest number, it was people with income between $40,000 and $99,999 (62.1%). For level of education, the greatest number had a university degree (48.7%); the higher the education the greater likelihood to participate.

Dr Henry described the ‘Your story, our future’ survey results today as an “early snapshot”, emphasizing that more insights will be gleaned from the survey results in the days ahead.

Mental health impacts:

The preliminary survey results show that almost half of British Columbians (47%) have experienced worsening mental health as a result of the pandemic. Many have also faced additional economic burden and the stress that comes with that.

“Notably, those aged 18 to 29 have experienced greater economic and mental health impact than the general population,” it was stated by Dr Henry today.

“We know the pandemic has created significant challenges for everyone, so we ask you to please ensure you are reaching out and connecting with those who may be more vulnerable,” she said.

Worrisome COVID case increase:

In her modelling today — COVID-19: Going Forward — Dr Henry included a warning about how infection rates are on the uptick in BC due to increased social interaction, especially among young adults (generally age 20 to 39).
“We’re on the edge,” said Dr Henry today.

BC Health Minister Adrian Dix expressed his gratitude that there have been no new deaths in the last reporting period (three days) but with 102 new cases that’s an average of 34 cases per day in the last three days. That is not the direction that helps BC keep a flattened COVID-19 curve.

“You cannot barter with COVID-19. Each moment of each day matters,” said Dix, urging people to maintain physical distancing and wise choices about social bubbles.