The Mental Health Index score improved by half a point in April 2022 compared with the previous month. This survey of Canadians’ mental health, published since the beginning of the pandemic by LifeWorks, had a score of -10.0 in April, up from -10.5 in March.
This modest gain marks the third monthly upswing in a row for the index, which had been plunging since December 2021 due to the stress caused by the Omicron variant. Even so, several of the survey respondents showed increased sensitivity to anxiety.
Quebec is seeing a different trend: The mental health score declined for the second consecutive month in April. It is currently at its lowest level in five months. Alberta and Manitoba also experienced a dip in their Mental Health Index score, while the picture brightened in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, the Maritimes and Newfoundland and Labrador.
“Despite a modest improvement in April 2022, the mental health of Canadians appears to have been ‘re-set’ to a level well below the pre-2020 benchmark with a negative score being the norm,” the LifeWorks report reads. The mental health score has wallowed in negative territory since the index was first published in April 2020. The April 2022 score is thus the 25th consecutive score that falls below the pre-pandemic baseline score of 0.0.
Canadians on shaky footing
According to the index, 46 per cent of Canadians feel their sensitivity to stress has increased. This stressed segment scores nearly 10 points below the national average for mental health, LifeWorks points out.
What’s more, the actuarial consulting firm’s survey finds that more than 49 per cent of Canadian employees have noticed that their colleagues also appear to be more sensitive to stress since the pandemic began. Twenty-two percent are unsure whether this is the case.
“Canadians have been experiencing nonstop changes and uncertainties for over two years,” says Paula Allen, Global Leader and Senior Vice President, Research and Global Wellness at LifeWorks. “Time has not made it any easier to navigate the ongoing turbulence,” she adds. She believes that this long-term strain is heightening sensitivity to stress.
While some Canadians are beginning to return to a sense of normalcy, Paul Allen points out that many are burdened by the weight of stressful events in the world. “As these occurrences continue to impact peoples’ mental health, it will create an even more unpredictable landscape for individuals and the economy,” she says.
Youth, money and managers
Respondents under age 40 are 50 per cent more likely than those over 50 to feel increased sensitivity to stress, LifeWorks points out.
The firm adds that Canadian workers with a reduced salary or fewer hours are more than 30 per cent more likely to feel sensitive to stress compared with their pre-pandemic state.
Barrier to consultation
A total of 17 per cent of the survey respondents said they would not seek professional help if they were experiencing stress or a mental health problem.
“Our research is showing a modest mental health improvement among Canadians this month, with many feeling comfortable enough to reach out for professional help when they need it,” commented Stephen Liptrap, President and CEO of LifeWorks. He finds this result encouraging.
The employer’s role
A major issue, Liptrap adds, is that stressors inside and outside the workplace make it challenging for people to manage their wellbeing in a healthy way.
“It is important for employers to recognize there is often more than meets the eye when it comes to how employees are feeling, and that providing ongoing communication and support is critical to ensure employee mental health remains a top priority,” he points out.
