A new study out of the University of Toronto suggests that the economic upheaval surrounding COVID-19 could result in a spike of as many as 2,114 deaths by suicide above the Canadian average by the end of 2021.
TORONTO -- As more studies emerge highlighting the toll COVID-19 is having on Canadians’ mental health, Vanessa Leslie knows all too well how the virus can play a part in someone’s well-being.
Richard was a business owner and firefighter who enjoyed the camaraderie of his local station. He also enjoyed snowmobiling and fly fishing with his friends, but COVID-19 restrictions forced him to cancel most of those plans. “Whether you can't go to work, whether you can't go to school, all of a sudden having everybody together, that is a contributing factor.”
The researchers also found that for every percentage point the unemployment rate rises among people below the age of 65, the excess deaths by suicide -- meaning the additional suicides above the national average -- also raises by a percentage point. Stephanie MacKendrick, CEO of Crisis Services Canada, said their distress centre members have seen up to a 90 per cent increase in calls to their hotlines, including a 200 per cent increase in “active rescues,” meaning the caller is in imminent danger.
“The increase in demand has been very hard on our mental health frontline responders and it shows that COVID-19 has had a strong impact on people,” she said.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ontario records another spike in new COVID-19 cases
Read more »
Ontario records dip in new COVID-19 cases after two-day spikeOntario has recorded a dip in the number of new COVID-19 cases after a concerning spike over the past two days.
Read more »
Liberals to ask MPs to approve $87 billion in new spending driven by COVID-19 aidThe Trudeau Liberals are asking parliamentarians to approve $60 billion in spending on a key COVID-19 emergency benefit for workers.
Read more »
New Brunswick doctor says he does not know where he picked up COVID-19There are 13 active COVID-19 cases in the province that had just weeks ago seen all of its coronavirus cases recovered
Read more »