This past weekend was a trying time for many, as the annual tradition of celebrating Easter with friends and family was interrupted by the unexpected pandemic. City hotlines were overwhelmed with calls as people all over the city were hit by how much the atmosphere has changed. The 211 phone line responsible for referring callers to mental health services saw a 90% increase in call volume, and the Senior Hotline’s call volume increased by a staggering 1,000%. Toronto’s mental health is taking a huge hit due to COVID-19.
Out on the front lines, we have the incredible doctors, nurses, and hospital staff who put their lives on the line to help the vulnerable. But with their heroism comes the worry of catching the virus, of compromising their families, of letting down their patients.
“I think about how much risk I was exposed to and I decide whether I’m going to hug my kids.”
– Dr. Michael Warner, ICU at Michael Garron Hospital, Toronto. Source: CBC
It’s hard to imagine how helpless they must be feeling right now, unable to do more than play a guessing game and hope their patients recover. Dr. Laura Hawryluck at Toronto Western believes the pandemic will have long term consequences on the mental health of medical professionals and could lead to PTSD symptoms. When Dr. Andrea Alfonso in Italy was asked if he agrees with this narrative, he replied “100 percent. The answer is yes.”
“I expect it’ll have quite a lot of psychological impact on people, not only doctors but nurses and everyone else who works within [the critical care] team,”
– Dr. Laura Hawryluck, Critical Care Response Team Lead at Toronto Western. Source: CBC
The mental health of those who are self-isolating is also at risk. A study conducted on quarantined individuals in Toronto after the SARS outbreak reported that 28.9% and 31.2% of subjects showed symptoms of PTSD and depression respectively. Longer periods of isolation corresponded to more symptoms, which is particularly worrying as COVID-19 is likely to last longer than SARS due to the easier spread of the virus and the prevalence of nonsymptomatic carriers. Therefore, it’s difficult to asses how much mental health will be impacted, making the situation more concerning.
University of Toronto professor Dr. Roger McIntyre believes the increased social media use, in particular, will have a detrimental effect on mental health. He proposes that keeping internet use at a reasonable level and limiting communication to meaningful interactions with friends and family is key to maintaining a healthy headspace.
“The more time people spend on social media, the worse it is for their well-being and overall health. The more they feel bad about themselves and their lives.”
– UofT professor Dr Roger McIntyre. Source: Toronto Sun
Toronto is responding to this precarious situation by increasing alcohol consumption. According to CTV News, 21% of Canadians from age 18-34 and 25% of Canadians from age 35-54 report increased alcohol consumption during the pandemic, mostly either due to anxiety, stress or boredom. It’s easier than ever to obtain alcohol with alcohol delivery services now being available and the AGCO loosening the rules regarding alcohol sales.
Dr. Leslie Buckley, chief of addictions at the Centre of Addiction and Mental Health, believes that this increase in alcohol consumption may have polarizing effects on Torontonians. She is worried that the anxiety of being alone and the absence of other coping mechanisms may trigger those in recovery to start using substances again.
“I’m worried about stress and loneliness maybe being a trigger for people to use more substances. But on the other hand, for a lot of people, (COVID-19) could really be an opportunity to change,” she said.
Dr Leslie Buckley, chief of addictions at CAMH. Source: Toronto Star
The increase in alcohol consumption is notably troubling as alcohol is already costing Canadians $14.6 billion, $5 billion of which goes towards health care, law enforcement, and lost productivity. Additionally, people under the influence are more likely to deviate from social distancing practices and increase the spread of the virus.
The best way to combat the seemingly inevitable decline in mental health is to make residents aware of the resources available to them. The aforementioned 211 phone line is available to connect callers with mental health services most suited to their needs, some examples being the African Canadian Social Services for Black Residents and the Gerstein Crisis Centre. For those struggling with substance abuse, programs like SMART Recovery are available online. This CAMH webpage is a detailed guide on mental health during the pandemic and references many useful resources that may provide alternative coping mechanisms.
To everyone reading this, please try to stay connected, stay active, and stay strong while you are #stayinghome. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help if you need it.
References:
“Mental Illness and Addiction: Facts and Statistics” CAMH
“COVID-19 vs. SARS: How Do They Differ?” Healthline
“Toronto support agencies receive unprecedented volume of distress calls amid pandemic” CTV News
“Mental Health and the COVID-19 Pandemic” CAMH
“Front-line workers, residents of care homes at bigger risk of mental health struggles: advocates” CTV News
“Toronto develops mental health strategy to help those impacted by coronavirus pandemic” Daily Hive News
“COVID-19 will be followed by pandemic of mental health issues: T.O. prof” Toronto Sun
“Canadians under 54 drinking more at home due to COVID-19 pandemic: Nanos poll” CTV News
“Hundreds of mental health workers offer free therapy to Ontario’s frontline COVID-19 staff” CBC
“‘I’ve never been so stressed’: Health-care workers in COVID-19 battle face PTSD, mental health issues” CBC
Hawryluck, L et al (2004) “SARS Control and Psychological Effects of Quarantine, Toronto, Canada” Emerg Infect Dis 10(7) 1206–1212.
‘They’re scared’: How COVID-19 is impacting the mental health of doctors, nurses” Global News Canada
“COVID-19 pandemic taking toll on Canadians’ mental health: survey” Global News Canada
“Restaurant alcohol delivery and takeout in Toronto: What you need to know” Now Toronto
“Do alcohol and COVID-19 isolation mix? Some health experts don’t think so” CBC
“Uber Eats launches alcohol delivery in Toronto” Now Toronto
“Restaurants can now sell delivery, takeout alcohol in Ontario” Now Toronto
“Why are cannabis and liquor stores considered essential services during the COVID-19 outbreak?” Toronto Star
SMART Recovery Online Communityhttps://www.smartrecovery.org/smart-recovery-toolbox/smart-recovery-online/
“Canadians Are Buying So Much Booze Right Now & Ottawa Public Health Is Concerned” Narcity
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