Canada NewsWire
OTTAWA, ON , Aug. 3, 2022 /CNW/ - A series of Leger national surveys conducted during COVID-19 found that 2SLGBTQ+ communities across Canada have been disproportionately impacted by pandemic-related substance use and other mental health issues. 2SLGBTQ+ respondents reported having symptoms of anxiety, depression and thoughts of suicide at rates far higher than the general population. Only one in five 2SLGBTQ+ racialized respondents reported excellent or very good mental health.
The report also found that about 30 per cent of 2SLGBTQ+ respondents who consume alcohol reported increased consumption since the start of the pandemic, a rate 50 per cent higher than among non-2SLGBTQ+ respondents. About 20 per cent of 2SLGBTQ+ respondents who use cannabis reported using more, double the rate among non-2SLGBTQ+ respondents.
2SLGBTQ+ youth reported being particularly impacted in terms of mental health and substance use. The polling found 60 per cent of 2SLGBTQ+ youth (16-24) reported moderate to severe anxiety symptoms during the pandemic; about 40 per cent reported symptoms of depression; and almost 30 per cent reported thoughts of suicide since the start of the pandemic.
"We are sharing this report as Pride celebrations occur this summer to acknowledge that 2SLGBTQ+ communities have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic due to increases in social, political, and economic inequities. However, we must take pride in knowing that 2SLGBTQ+ communities are resilient, strong, hopeful, accepting, and inclusive." — Michel Rodrigue , president and CEO, Mental Health Commission of Canada
" These findings highlight the importance of continued investments in creating culturally safe environments and practices in substance use and mental health services and supports for 2SLGBTQ+ communities. It also underscores the need to build capacity and competency, and to address barriers to access." — Rita Notarandrea , CEO, Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction
Additional findings:- 1 in 4 (24%) 2SLGBTQ+ respondents reported excellent/very good mental health during the pandemic, compared to nearly half of non-2SLGBTQ+ respondents (43%).
- Almost half (46%) of 2SLGBTQ+ respondents reported moderate-to-severe anxiety symptoms, compared to just under a quarter (22%) of non-2SLGBTQ+ respondents.
- Finances were cited as the top barrier for accessing both mental health and substance use services, and overall, 2SLGBTQ+ faced more barriers than non-2SLBTQ+ respondents in accessing mental health services.
- 30% of all 2SLGBTQ+ respondents and 40% of all 2SLBTQ+ youth reported accessing virtual mental health services since the start of the pandemic; fewer reported accessing in-person services.
The MHCC and CCSA tracked the relationship between mental health and substance use through Leger polls conducted during the pandemic.
On August 3, 2022 , an expert panel will discuss the impacts of the pandemic on 2SLGBTQ+ communities mental health and substance use. For more information, click here .
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SOURCE Mental Health Commission of Canada
View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/August2022/03/c1438.html