Brampton residents call for more mental health support, mirroring national survey that reveals the toll of COVID-19

Last week, Ontario’s top health experts released a model outlining how many people could be impacted by COVID-19 in the province, and the numbers were jarring.

Even Premier Doug Ford looked distraught when addressing residents across the province about the disturbing numbers.

In a best case scenario, approximately 12,500 cases of the virus are projected in Ontario by the end of the month, with stricter measures of intervention, like physical distancing, in place. Without such measures, there could be 80,000 infections by the end of April.

By the end of the pandemic, which could last anywhere from 18 months to two years, between 3,000 and 15,000 people could be killed by the virus in Ontario. These numbers were not intended to create fear in people, the health experts said, but to show a realistic picture of what might happen if serious action is not taken.

While not intended, these numbers may upset some, adding to the anxiety sweeping through communities, like the virus itself.

Wearing masks or cloth face coverings in public is one way to address fear, while preventing spread, when having to go out

In a recent survey conducted during the third telephone town hall put on by the city of Brampton and the Region of Peel, of the 15,000 callers, 70 percent wanted to see more mental health support in the city.

According to Susan Mercer, a clinical social worker at Onward Choices Consulting Inc., news on the pandemic is hard to avoid. It’s virtually everywhere and it’s all people can talk about. “While any change to our regular day or routine can affect our mental health, this situation is doubly challenging because news of the pandemic is virtually inescapable, and there’s no clear end date,” she stated on the Mental Health Commission of Canada’s (MHCC) website.  

According to Keith Dobson, professor of clinical psychology at the University of Calgary, there are three indicators that predict how a situation can be perceived as anxiety provoking. The first is predictability, the second is how much control one has over the situation and third is how important the issue is to us. In the case of COVID-19, all three boxes receive a checkmark. 

“There’s a lot we don’t know, we have relatively weak controls (e.g., hand washing, physical distancing), and it’s really important even lethal in the worst case. So we shouldn’t be surprised at our heightened reaction,” Dobson wrote. 

Rabbab Ali is one of the many people feeling anxious about the spread of the novel coronavirus. The Brampton resident and mom of three told The Pointer she takes multiple steps to ensure her kids don’t come in contact with the virus, including wiping down all groceries that come into the house. Ali and her kids also sleep in a room separate from her husband, who still has to go into work. All of the changes and disruption bring her a lot of unease. “That's my biggest fear is having [my kids] be sick and I don't want that. Just getting out of the house, it's scary…what if I bring something back?”

Mental health support for Brampton and Mississauga is overseen by Peel Region and there are no plans for each city to offer its own assistance at this time. Peel Public Health offers 24/7 crisis service, and family counselling services, while Peel residents also have access to services provided by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Peel Dufferin, and Kids Help Phone, among others.

“Peel Public Health always keeps the mental health of residents’ top of mind. During an unprecedented crisis like COVID-19, the importance of supporting everyone is even greater,” Dr. Lawrence Loh, Interim Medical Officer of Health for the region, told The Pointer via email. “Physical distancing and staying home more will impact us all and will have an even greater impact on those of us who are isolated like our elderly or others,” he added. 

Paramedics are wearing full personal protection now, since one Peel worker tested positive for the virus in the past week after attending a traffic accident

On April 2, the province announced $12 million of funding to expand online mental health resources, signalling the importance of these supports during this uncertain time.

“This very difficult situation will impact different people in different ways, but I can assure everyone we will be there to support you and help you cope in every way we can. Clearly, protecting our health and well-being is everything, and that includes our mental health,” Ford told residents.

BounceBack Ontario is one of the programs this money will help fund. It uses workbooks, videos and phone coaching to support people. Money will also go toward internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT) for residents and frontline healthcare workers. The program for frontline healthcare workers will be aimed around those experiencing anxiety, burnout, or PTSD, feelings that could have been present before the spread of COVID-19.

This includes Peel Paramedics, where a study made public in 2019 highlighted how violence is a frequent part of their job, something that will not be improved with a global pandemic. Paramedic Mandy Johnston co-authored a study on external violence experienced by Peel’s paramedics. Of those surveyed, 97.9 percent of paramedics were exposed to verbal abuse, 86.1 percent were exposed to intimidation and 80 percent had experienced physical assault. Of the respondents, 61.5 percent also experienced sexual harassment and 13.8 percent had been sexually assaulted.

There have been reports, since the onset of the pandemic, that first responders are now facing increased challenges on the job. One Peel paramedic reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 this week after attending the site of a traffic accident. 

Frontline healthcare workers, under the strain of the virus’s accelerating impact on our hospitals, are also reporting fatigue and anxiety, with some expressing concern that if they get infected it would greatly impact their children and other family members. Their anxiety is heightened due to the lack of personal protective equipment for them.

While the counselling programs available at the provincial level are much needed, a majority of them aren’t broken down by region. This can be a problem with roughly 14.5 million residents in the province, and only a handful of support services.

The results of the Brampton tele townhall survey illustrate the personal challenges gripping many across the city.

It’s a feeling echoed by the larger working Canadian population. According to the results from the just completed Mental Health Index published monthly by HR and business consulting firm Morneau Shepell, the current score, from a survey of 3,000 Canadian workers conducted March 27 to 30 and used to measure overall mental well being, is 63, during the pandemic. This is lower than the benchmark of 75. The organization says this rating is a concern, and is only seen with people who have a major disruption in their life. “The largest negative change was seen in the measure of anxiety, followed by helplessness, optimism and isolation,” the company states. 

“While the COVID-19 virus is feared for its potential to overwhelm the Canadian health-care system with those suffering from the physical symptoms of COVID-19, the toll on the mental health of Canadians is also expected to be severe, both now and in the coming months, and potentially years.”

The complete report outlining specific details will be released by the firm in about a week.

A lot of services listed by the province can be accessed by anyone. CMHA provides specific information on its websites about what people can do in their everyday life to ease anxiety experienced as a result of the pandemic, and information on how employers can help address the anxiety being experienced by many employees. 

These resources are vital. According to the World Health Organization, it’s just as important to manage your mental well-being during this time as it is to manage one’s physical health.

Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott oversees a system that was already stretched before the pandemic

“It’s never been more important for Ontarians to stay home to stop the spread of COVID-19,” Christine Elliott, Ontario’s Minister of Health, said in one of her recent statements. “As they do, we need to provide them with the supports they need to stay mentally healthy during these challenging times as more Ontarians experience heightened anxiety and depression.” 

People who operate outside of the provincial government have also offered their services. Ontario’s licensed therapists have created the group Ontario COVID-19 Mental Health Network. It facilitates connection between frontline healthcare workers and therapists to provide free mental health services. According to the website (which can be reached here), 800 registered therapists in the province have signed up as volunteers. 

“As the COVID-19 virus pandemic spreads so will the toll on Ontarians providing frontline healthcare: doctors, nurses, nursing aides, paramedics, and so on,” the website states. 

“It has become evident that this population lacks adequate emotional and mental support, and can feel isolated and stigmatized for their contact with those who have been infected. Our goal is to help these workers feel connected, supported, and to provide one-on-one pro bono therapy for those who need it.”

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