According to a recent report from public health officials, 1 in 3 Montrealers have had their mental health negatively impacted over the course of the pandemic. This statistic is worse than the amount reported by Quebecers, with an average of 1 in 5 having experienced mental health issues.
Taking into consideration factors such as red zone restrictions, socio-economic vulnerabilities, major employment sectors being affected by closures, and so on, Montreal was more heavily impacted by the pandemic than the rest of the province.
According to CTV News, “[...]One in three Montrealers admitted last February to having symptoms consistent with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or probable depressive disorder. [...] The data comes from the most recent 'COVID-19 Pandemic Psychosocial Impact Survey,' which looks at a period from December 2020 to February 2021. In February, about 1 in 15 Montreal respondents said they had seriously considered suicide in the previous 12 months, compared to 1 in 20 in Quebec.”
Véronique Nadeau-Grenier, from Direction régionale de santé publique de Montréal (DSPM) of the CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île de Montréal, explained that it is crucial to prioritize certain groups like young adults, anglophones, and essential workers when it comes to mental health in Montreal and in the province.
If you or someone you know is in need of mental health services, you can visit the Quebec government’s website for more information on help and other resources here.
