More than half (54 per cent) of Canadians experiencing mental-health issues haven’t sought medical support, according to a new survey by Sun Life Financial Inc.
Of those Canadians who haven’t sought support for a mental-health issue, 31 per cent said they felt they didn’t need help, while 25 per cent said they couldn’t afford it and 23 per cent were embarrassed to ask.
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The survey found of the 60 per cent of Canadians experiencing mental-health issues, anxiety (40 per cent) was the top concern, followed by stress, depression and addiction. The survey also noted women (62 per cent) and those aged 18 to 34 (74 per cent) were experiencing the greatest impact of mental-health issues. Canadians aged 18 to 23 were more than twice as likely (16 per cent) as the national average (seven per cent) to say they’re experiencing addiction issues.
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“Our nation is dealing with a mental-health crisis. Whether it’s a loved one, a colleague, or yourself, mental health impacts us all,” said Chris Denys, senior vice-president of possibilities for Sun Life’s Lumino Health, in a press release. “We must work together to tackle this emergency. From employers to individuals, we can all play a role in building a more resilient Canada.”
Lumino Health has recorded over 1 million searches for psychologists, with daily searches doubling since the pandemic began, according to the release. To meet this increased need, the digital platform is expanding its list of mental-health professionals on the platform. In addition to psychologists, plan members can soon search for social workers, clinical counsellors and psychotherapists via Lumino Health.
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