Morneau Shepell has announced the results of its Mental Health Index, which includes a measure of how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting Canadian workers' mental health. The index reveals a statistically significant decrease in mental health, when compared to pre-COVID-19 benchmarks.

The current Mental Health Index score of 63 compares to the benchmark of 75. This is an unprecedented decline, says the organization. “An overall score of 63 is very concerning. Such a score is typically only seen in the subset of employees who have major life disruption and mental health risk. The largest negative change was seen in the measure of anxiety, followed by helplessness, optimism and isolation,” says a statement released by the Morneau Shepell April 2.

In addition to an overall assessment of mental health, the survey specifically asked about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Eighty-one per cent of respondents reported that the COVID-19 pandemic is negatively impacting their mental health, ranging from some concern but an ability to cope (49 per cent) to feeling the crisis has a negative, very negative or significantly negative impact on their mental health (32 per cent).

Top concern is financial impact of the pandemic

Additionally, the index assessed the main COVID-19-related factors leading to these mental health concerns. The top concern is the financial impact of the pandemic (55 per cent); followed by the fear of getting ill or having a loved one pass away (42 per cent); and uncertainty around how the virus will impact family (33 per cent).

"Perceptions of COVID-19 have changed drastically since the first case entered Canada in January, from initially viewing the virus as an unknown to now as a threat," said Paula Allen, Morneau Shepell’s senior vice president of research, analytics and innovation. "These findings confirm that COVID-19 is not just an infectious disease issue, we are looking at a mental health crisis. This survey is of working Canadians, which makes this pandemic as relevant for businesses as it is for public health."

Morneau Shepell says it will publish the national Mental Health Index on a monthly basis to assess changes in mental health and the issues Canadians are most anxious about as the situation evolves.