“Lonely Pandemic”: Working from home during COVID-19 will hurt Canadians mentally-nationwide

In the last year Coronavirus pandemic It has dramatically changed the way we live and work.

In the tightening of regulations and public health measures COVID-19 (new coronavirus infection) (# If there is no character limit, add parentheses when it first appearsWorking from home has become a new norm for many of us.

Switching to virtual offices for meetings on Zoom, Skype, or other online platforms has increased flexibility, efficiency, convenience, and safety, but experts say lack of social interaction also affects workers. It is giving a mental blow.

The days of taking coffee and cigarette breaks with colleagues and calling team meetings at lunch are over.

“”Roger McIntyre, a professor of psychiatry and pharmacology at the University of Toronto, said:

“Going to work is more than just getting paid … it’s also a sense of connection.”

McIntyre said COVID-19 only separated people and amplified what he called a “lonely pandemic.”

A New report The mental health index for working Canadians fell to a record low in December, Morneau Shepell said last week. The findings also show a decline in workplace productivity, with 27% of supervisors reporting that employee productivity is lower than in 2019.

Overall, the report shows that 36% of survey respondents are concerned about the mental health of their colleagues.

Paula Allen, Global Leader of Morno Shepel and Senior Vice President of Research and Comprehensive Welfare, said long-term uncertainties about the global health crisis are causing the “burnout” of the Canadian workforce. ..

“”There wasn’t a clear end as we all wanted, and we feel very emotionally exhausted, “she told Global News in an interview.

[ Sign up for our Health IQ newsletter for the latest coronavirus updates ]

The financial problems and uncertainties caused by the pandemic only add to the stress.

Canadian economy Bounced off Growing at an annual rate of 40.5% toward the end of the year Worst 3 months stretch On record.

However, economic constraints and physical distance measures have caused great disruption to Canadian business.

About 63,000 jobs Lost in December, according to Statistics Canada. This is the first decline since April.

Empathy for employees

COVID-19 (new coronavirus infection) (# If there is no character limit, add parentheses when it first appears According to the report, more than half of Canadians feel lonely or isolated due to blockades, restrictions, and physical distance. Recent Ipsos Poll Conducted exclusively for global news.

Darrell Bricker, CEO of Ipsos, said social interaction fell by a record 13% last year.

In a year of unemployment, social isolation, and travel restrictions Another Ipsos poll In December, it was found that 40% of Canadians said they faced some form of mental health, addiction, or alcohol problem in 2020.

For those with a history of depression and several suicide attempts Mark Hennick His past mental health problems actually helped him survive the pandemic.

As a teenager raised in a broken house in Nova Scotia, Hennick tried to jump off the bridge, but was saved by a stranger who pulled him off the edge.

A 33-year-old mental health advocate said of his struggle So-called normal: memoirs of family, depression and resilience, Was released earlier this month.

He advised people not to be afraid to talk about their problems and to empathize with others during this difficult time.

“You can even pick up the phone, send Facebook messages and even write old-fashioned letters. It really saved lives,” he told Global News.

Morneau Shepell reports that since last year, 24% of Canadians have considered quitting their current job due to employer reaction to COVID-19.

Lorna Borenstein, founder of Grokker Inc. and author of the next book, It’s personal: a compassionate business case, Employers said they needed to make sure that their employees were taking care of them.

“Otherwise, it will hurt today’s business and weaken results tomorrow,” she told Global News.

How to approach mental health in the workplace

Since May of last year, the Ontario Government has provided free internet-based mental health therapy program To help Ontario citizens, including front-line healthcare professionals, experience anxiety and depression.This is part of the state Emergency funding $ 26.75 million For mental health and addiction services during COVID-19.

Meanwhile, Quebec Announced in November Injecting $ 100 million into mental health services, including field teams, to work with “vulnerable customers” and facilitate early intervention.

Allen said it was important to seek expert help as needed.

Both McIntyre and Allen provided other tips to help teleworkers.

• Make up your day
• Get a break
• Flexible
• motion
• Set reasonable goals
• Reduce the number of meetings held to overcome “zoom fatigue”
• Partial management of food, alcohol and social media consumption

“By developing a very well-implemented, planned implementation plan, we can address malignant uncertainties,” said McIntyre. “It will greatly benefit the mental health of Canadians.”

View link »