Introduction
This study begins by exploring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of
Canadians. Subsequently, we delve into the underlying causes of anxiety and depression during
this public health crisis. The first wave of the pandemic, marked by widespread lockdowns and
the rapid spread of the virus, ignited an unprecedented surge in stress and anxiety levels among
Canadians (Pfefferbaum & North, 2020). These elevated levels of anxiety were attributed to
numerous factors, including the fear of infection, economic instability, and the isolation imposed
by social distancing measures (Holmes et al., 2020).
Depression, another formidable adversary in this mental health landscape, has also seen a
disconcerting rise during the pandemic. Preliminary findings indicate that the prevalence of
depressive symptoms increased significantly during the early phases of the pandemic (Daly et
al., 2020). The mounting evidence suggests that the psychosocial consequences of prolonged
lockdowns, the fear of uncertainty, and the disruptions in daily routines have contributed to the
onset of depressive symptoms in a substantial portion of the Canadian population. As O'Connor
et al. (2020) emphasized, the global pandemic brought about a mental health crisis, necessitating
focused research on how Canadians have been affected by anxiety and depression during these
trying times. In this paper, we will explore the intricacies of anxiety and depression during the
COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, offering a comprehensive analysis of the contributing factors,
the socio-demographic disparities, and the implications for public health policy. By shedding
light on the mental health repercussions of this global crisis, we aim to contribute to a deeper
understanding of the challenges faced by Canadians and the strategies that can be employed to
mitigate the long-term impact on their mental well-being.
The purpose of the essay is to look into how Canada's levels of anxiety and sadness have
changed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. It recognizes that anxiety and depression are
already common mental health issues in Canada and that the epidemic is predicted to make them
even more common and commonplace. The report draws attention to specialists' worries about a
"echo pandemic" of mental health issues brought on by the outbreak. Because mental health
advocates and experts already warning of an echo pandemic of mental health problems (cf.
Favaro, st. Philip, & MacLeod, 2020). The study aims to investigate how Canadians are coping
with the COVID-19 epidemic and identify the precise effects of the pandemic on levels of
anxiety and sadness. The report highlights the need of comprehending the mental health issues
that Canadians are currently dealing with and offers suggestions for psychologists to address
these requirements. (Dozois, 2021)
Literature Review
This study was conducted by David J. A. Dozois in year 2021, it highlights that the incidence
and prevalence of anxiety and depression are expected to increase significantly due to the
pandemic, leading to an "echo pandemic" of mental health problems. The study found that the
percentage of respondents reporting high anxiety quadrupled from and the number of participants
with high self-reported depression more than doubled since the onset of COVID-19. Canadians
with anxiety and depression also reported an increase in alcohol and cannabis use during the
pandemic. The paper emphasizes the negative impact of COVID-related anxiety, social isolation,
economic consequences, and excessive exposure to pandemic-related news on mental health. It
also highlights the decrease in the quantity and quality of mental health support systems for
Canadians with depression and anxiety. The study suggests that the federal and provincial
governments should do more to support the mental health of Canadians. The survey also
revealed that if physical distancing and self-isolation continue for another 2 months, respondents
predicted that depression would worsen. (Dozois, 2021)
References
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