The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the mental health of Canadians in several ways but the most prominent of them concerns post-viral depression, which was particularly common among people who managed to recover from the disease. The COVID-19 remains a virus that has not been studied fully, but one of the common effects of it, as reported by many people, is depressive syndrome. For instance, studies demonstrate that people who were diagnosed with COVID-19 were more likely to develop depressive symptoms, as well as dementia and psychosis, than those who did not contract the disease (Schraer, 2021). Another evidence in support of the aforementioned claim lies in the fact that COVID-19 is difficult to bear. As a result, people may develop depression due to a suppressed immune function and general tiredness since the virus causes the body stress. Finally, many people who had a severe case of COVID-19 had to spend time in intensive care units where they could see others die. Such experience could traumatize them and eventually translate into depression. Thus, the COVID-19 pandemic and especially the disease itself could cause people to become depressed.
Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic also negatively affected the mental health of Canadians through numerous government restrictions, which made people struggle with their conditions. Authorities in Canada introduced strict lockdowns and imposed a temporary travel ban which disrupted the normal life of millions of people in the country which caused them to encounter mental problems. According to official statistics, more than sixty percent of people in Canada reported that their mental health worsened after the onset of the pandemic (“Survey,” 2021). Such evidence shows that the issue of mental health was a topical one during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, due to social distancing, thousands of individuals had to self-isolate at home and experienced significant loneliness. The state of being left alone could considerably contribute to the development of depressive symptoms. Lockdowns prevented people from going out, and spending time outside is essential for people who previously had depressive episodes. As a result, such conditions returned to man people since they were restricted in their movement. Thus, the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent government restrictions forced people to face mental health problems.
References
Schraer, R. (2021). Covid-19 linked to depression and dementia, study suggests. BBC. Web.
Survey on COVID-19 and mental health, September to December 2020. (2021). Statistics Canada. Web.