New Study Finds 83% Of Canadians Have At Least One Symptom Of Depression Right Now

A new study of mental health in Canada has found that 83% of Canadians have at least one symptom of depression right now, with some turning to substances to cope during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On May 18, Field Trip Health shared its first annual "State of Mind" survey, which considered how Canadians' mental health has been impacted by the events of the past year.

It found that in the two weeks before the survey, 56% of Canadians felt "down, depressed, or hopeless," while 72% said they felt "tired or had little energy."

Overall, 83% of people said they'd experienced at least one symptom of depression recently, while 44% of respondents admitted they'd increased their alcohol consumption to cope.

Similarly, 50% of Canadians have increased their cannabis usage, while 40% have increased their pornography consumption and 53% have increased their gambling.

It's not the first study to find that Canadians' mental health has declined during the pandemic; Mental Health Research Canada also reports that "anxiety and depression among Canadians are at their highest" right now.

Free mental health support in Canada

To support Canadians, the federal government launched Wellness Together Canada, an online resource that offers completely free and confidential mental health support.

The site is accessible 24/7 and there's access to substance-use support, resources and counselling.

Canadians can access instant services via various platforms, including by text or online. One-on-one professional counselling via phone, text or video-chat and youth-specific help is available, too.