Nearly half of Atlantic Canadians feel anxious, poll shows
Psychologist suggests mental-health strategies
In a survey conducted on April 15 for the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) by market research company Maru/matchbox, findings indicated 48 per cent of Atlantic Canadians felt anxious, and only eight per cent felt happy.
Respondents reported feeling more negative emotions than positive lately — with 61 per cent saying they felt more negative emotions, and 39 per cent more positive.
Feelings of isolation increased from 39 per cent to 47 per cent in less than one month, according to the research, and 63 per cent of Atlantic Canadian respondents said they would like to experience more meaningful social interactions in their daily life.
“Research shows that social connection and social support are factors that protect and promote good mental health. It doesn’t just feel good to connect — it’s actually good for everyone’s mental health,” John Abbott, CEO of the Newfoundland and Labrador chapter of CMHA, stated in a news release accompanying the survey results.
CHANNAL EXPANDS WARM LINE
During Monday’s provincial COVID-19 media briefing, Premier Dwight Ball, Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald and Health Minister Dr. John Haggie were joined by Paula Corcoran, executive director of the Consumers’ Health Awareness Network of Newfoundland and Labrador (CHANNAL).
Corcoran spoke about mental-health concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This world crisis really has certainly highlighted the need for all of us, not just individuals who identify with living with mental-health conditions, but for all of us to recognize that stress and change are highly impactful to our health, and to our mental health, and that all of us are vulnerable at any given time,” she said.
Corcoran said people sometimes think their mentalhealth problems are not bad enough to seek help, but implored viewers to recognize the importance of early intervention, even if it’s a simple phone call.
She said there’s no handbook for how to respond to a pandemic.
Corcoran said CHANNAL’S warm line has expanded to answer more calls than ever before, and the hours for the mental-health line have expanded from 9 a.m. to midnight. Anyone can access that peer support by calling 1-855-753-2560.
Everyone who works at CHANNAL lives with a diagnosed mental illness, so staff are able to identify with people who contact them for support, Corcoran said.
Because staff are working from home, callers may need to leave a message, but someone will call them back, Corcoran said, adding that all that is required in the voicemail message is a phone number for staff to return the call.
“Speaking up is not a sign of weakness and despair, but of strength and resolution,” Fitzgerald said.
Despite staying physically apart from others, it’s important to stay connected, she said.
Ball said something as simple as a quick phone call can brighten someone’s day.
TIPS AND STRATEGIES
Dr. Janine Hubbard, a clinical psychologist and communications director for the Association of Psychology – Newfoundland and Labrador, said living through a pandemic, with both the uncertainties and the required physical distancing measures, has resulted in people being caught off guard by their emotional reactions.
She said people are experiencing a lot of ups and downs when it comes to their mental health.
The pandemic is particularly difficult for people who have diagnosed mental illnesses, Hubbard said.
“It is absolutely triggering. People who perhaps before all this were treading water, they were hanging in there, they were doing OK — yes, there were some underlying mental-health needs, but they were keeping them kind of under control — and this has just become a tidal wave over top of that, so that they’re not treading water anymore.”
Hubbard suggests people who have previously received treatment should revisit the tools and techniques they learned, recognize their triggers, engage in selfcare and, most importantly, ask for help before getting overwhelmed.
For others who do not have diagnosed mental illnesses, Hubbard offers some tips and strategies to maintain their mental health throughout the pandemic. Some of her tips include:
• Add as much structure and routine to your day as possible.
• Change into new clothes every morning, even if it’s a fresh pair of pyjamas.
• Include time for selfcare, such as walking, taking a bath or reading a book.
• Go outdoors.
• Exercise.
• Take five minutes to breathe deeply.
• Limit exposure to news and social media, especially at night.
• Avoid comparing yourself to friends and neighbours; everyone is experiencing this differently.
• Be kind to yourself. “Remember that this is unprecedented,” Hubbard said.
ADVICE FOR PARENTS
Hubbard also offers some tips for parents to help maintain children’s mental health:
• Be kind to yourself. “You are not teachers. You are not expected to be teaching your kids a full-day curriculum,” she said.
• Ensure children have a daily routine.
• Include in the daily routine: chores, physical activity, down time/relaxation time and family time.
• Do some school work or learning activities.
• Nurture “natural learning”: show children how to do laundry, cook a recipe or complete household projects.
• Encourage regular sleep patterns by not allowing children to stay up too late.