Concerns about a second wave of COVID-19, ongoing economic uncertainties and the added concern of students returning to school have added negatively to the latest Morneau Shepell Mental Health Index.

In fact, all sub-scores dealing with the risk of anxiety, depression, optimism and isolation all worsened during the last month. Only the work productivity score was unchanged.

“This decline is cause for concern," said Stephen Liptrap, president and chief executive officer of Morneau Shepell. "Canadians' initial feelings of optimism as we started to reopen do not erase the impact of the pandemic. To avoid further declines, public health officials and all levels of government must take the necessary steps to provide support where it's needed most and continue to put the mental health of Canadians first."

Safely reopening schools and getting children back into the classroom have been top-of-mind for parents, teachers and youth across the country in recent weeks. Surprisingly, individuals with three or more children appear to have adapted well to the pandemic. But the mental health of those working in the education sector declined to -11.6 from a score of -11.1 in July.

Canadians have started to regain some control in areas that were initially challenging and instead, are now facing increasing insecurities in their day-to-day life as restrictions ease across the country and isolated outbreaks occur. Despite respondents saving more and feeling more in control over their finances, the most commonly reported concern of Canadians remains the pandemic's ongoing impact on finances and the economy (49 per cent).