HORNEPAYNE—The Porcupine Health Unit is conducting a follow-up survey to determine the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health.
The mental health telephone survey will be conducted from May 17 until June 3, 2022.
“Mental health is a balance of many aspects of life that gives us the opportunity to live as whole and healthy individuals, states Chantal Riopel, chief nursing officer. It involves how we feel, think, act, and interact with the world around us. Mental health is about being our best self, coping with the normal stresses of life, and contributing to our community.”
The Porcupine Health Unit had completed an initial telephone survey in December 2020, which confirmed that the pandemic was difficult for many people in the region and had significantly affected the mental health of so many in their communities.
It was found that, women more so than men, reported increased stress, anxiety, irritation, and sadness since the beginning of the pandemic.
According to Porcupine Health Unit, compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic, some results of the initial survey reported showed that:
- 28 per cent of respondents reported their mental health was worse
- 65 per cent of respondents reported that the possibility of a family member catching COVID-19 had the most negative impact on their mental health.
This follow-up survey will be conducted by EKOS Research Associates on behalf of the PHU.
