{"id":85093,"date":"2020-05-04T10:41:29","date_gmt":"2020-05-04T14:41:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/huntsville.dopperonline.ca\/?p=85093"},"modified":"2020-05-04T10:44:53","modified_gmt":"2020-05-04T14:44:53","slug":"its-mental-health-week-canadians-are-anxious-and-crave-real-connection-but-say-theyre-doing-fine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/doppleronline.ca\/huntsville\/its-mental-health-week-canadians-are-anxious-and-crave-real-connection-but-say-theyre-doing-fine\/","title":{"rendered":"It’s mental health week: Canadians are anxious and crave real connection, but say they\u2019re doing \u201cfine\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

 <\/p>\n

A message from the Canadian Mental Health Association<\/em><\/p>\n

Most Canadians rely on shortcuts to describe their emotional state\u2014even during the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n

According to new data released today by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) in partnership with Maru\/Matchbox, 77 per cent of those asked \u201chow are you?\u201d rely on \u201cI\u2019m fine, thanks\u201d to express how they\u2019re doing, despite the fact that Canadians are feeling more negative emotions than positive ones these days (63 per cent negative vs. 37 per cent positive).<\/p>\n

The data were released to mark Canada\u2019s 69th annual Mental Health Week<\/a><\/span>, which runs May 4-10, 2020.<\/p>\n

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Despite a pandemic-driven growth in video-conferencing and social media usage, Canadians are feeling more isolated than ever (up eight points from 39 per cent to 47 per cent in less than one month) and crave real, meaningful connections. In fact, two-thirds of Canadians (67 per cent) report they would like to experience more meaningful social interactions in their daily life.<\/p>\n

“Most Canadians want more social connection, yet they\u2019re reluctant to have the kind of honest, open conversations that build the connection they crave,” says Margaret Eaton, national CEO of CMHA. “In our society, it\u2019s a cultural norm to ask people how they\u2019re doing, but not to expect, nor provide, a truthful answer. This Mental Health Week, it\u2019s time to get real about how we feel. It\u2019s clear we need each other more than ever.”<\/p>\n

Prior to the global pandemic, loneliness was already a major public health concern. People with weak or few social connections are at increased risk for anxiety, depression, anti-social behaviour and suicide [1]<\/a>. And a lack of strong relationships has the same negative impact on life expectancy as smoking 15 cigarettes a day [2].<\/a><\/p>\n

Due to physical distancing measures, people are isolated in their homes, missing out on family events and in-person activities and it appears they\u2019re feeling it. Almost half of Canadians are feeling isolated (47 per cent) and anxious (45 per cent), and only nine per cent are feeling happy. As we face social distancing measures, it\u2019s important to note that people don\u2019t need to be close to feel close.<\/p>\n

“We have to be creative about leaning on each other via fun or different virtual means, calling friends, checking in on our neighbours and supporting community efforts to care for those who are struggling. It doesn\u2019t just feel good to connect\u2014it\u2019s actually good for everyone\u2019s mental health,” says Eaton.<\/p>\n

Strong social networks lead to better self-esteem, coping mechanisms and a sense of well-being, and reduce depression and distress by providing emotional support, companionship and opportunities for meaningful social engagement [3]<\/a>. People with mental illness, older adults, people who live in rural or remote communities, and people who are unemployed, racialized or otherwise stigmatized need extra support, as they are at greater risk of missing out on these important protective factors.<\/p>\n

“As a society, we are grieving those lost to the pandemic and the massacre in Nova Scotia and we can\u2019t gather right now or give each other hugs. Relying on others and sharing our very normal feelings of sadness, fear and loss is hugely important right now, even if it\u2019s from afar,” says Eaton. “Social connection will help us recover as a community.”<\/p>\n

The focus of this year\u2019s Mental Health Week is to promote social connection and the role it plays in good mental health. To get involved, you can:<\/p>\n