As Canadian citizens, we deserve more than this! Half of the country now more stressed than during 2020 lockdowns

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

“Canadians are overwhelmed and certainly fatigued by the numerous economic and life/health challenges being thrown their way,I can’t imagine a bigger need for financial relief than living through this global event.” Laurie Campbell (Director of Client Financial Wellness at Bromwich + Smith)

Feelings of anxiousness; distress or worry: fear of contracting the virus, fear of family members getting sick. Then there is the stress and anxiety related to isolation and quarantine measures; distress about separation with family members; fear of long term impacts of the pandemic; you have to admit, many of us are experiencing prolonged psychological stress.

As we enter year three of the pandemic, I was curious as to what Canadians are most worried about. I came across a new national survey by Licenced Insolvency Trustees, Bromwich+Smith called The Perfect Storm Survey (https://www.bromwichandsmith.com/cost-living-lockdowns-canadian-survey).

The Perfect Storm Survey, an Angus Reid study of 1,519 Canadians, shines a light on financial hardships throughout the pandemic, the conversation around work, cost of living and the delicate balance of health.

Overall, 84% of Canadians are worried about cost-of-living/inflation, seven-in-ten are worried about their physical and mental health (e.g., getting COVID, burnout, sleep deprivation) and two thirds are concerned about Covid restrictions. Other fears are being able to save money (63%), managing day-to-day household expenses (54%) and managing debt (47%).

Nearly half of Canadians (48%) are more stressed to start 2022 than they were during the first lockdowns in 2020, especially as it pertains to their finances.

Canadians were also asked to answer how several possible economic situations would impact them in 2022. At the top of the list was a planned rise in payroll taxes (due to rising CPP and EI payments), a repayment of personal debts and the likelihood of rising rents in Canadian cities.

• 49% would be most impacted by the planned rise in payroll taxes
• 44% by a repayment of debts
• 37% by rising rents in Canadian cities
• 29% by a reduction in hours/pay at work
• 28% by changes, reductions or repayments to government supports

I am sure you are reading this and can either identify with some of these statistics, or know someone who can identify with them. What needs to be considered and shown great concern is the number of people and communities who are particularly vulnerable to the psychological and psychosocial impact of the pandemic?

Those who have existing mental health conditions may experience an increase in psychological distress and trauma symptoms, especially if they are isolated. The lockdowns have not been helpful, and we can see this with the increase in overdoses and suicides.

We can’t forget our senior population, especially those in isolation and those with cognitive decline/dementia, who may become more anxious, agitated, irritable and withdrawn while they are being quarantined. Physical and emotional support is so important at this time.

Then there are those who are at risk of sexual and gender-based violence. Isolation increases their risk, and with the lockdowns, and fear surrounding new variants, they may feel trapped, and unable to seek help. How do we help them? Included in this vulnerable group are children. They have lost the ability to express and communicate their feelings in a safe and supportive environment. Parents have to find ways to discuss COVID-19 in an honest and age-appropriate way. If caregivers are infected, quarantined, or pass away, it could lead to protection and psychological issues for children.

Our frontline workers (health care workers) have faced unique hardships during this pandemic and have had to work in extraordinary circumstances. The threat of losing employment if your beliefs do match those of the governing bodies, and the fears of transmitting the disease to loved ones have stood out as two areas of distress.

I urge our governments to focus on bringing our country back to a place where fear is not the dominant emotion. Keeping people in a state of flight or fight is damaging, and as Canadian citizens, we deserve more than this.