If you are in distress, you can call or text 988 at any time. If it is an emergency, call 9-1-1 or go to your local emergency department.

Home › Resources › Mental Health and Substance Use During COVID-19: Summary Report

Mental Health and Substance Use During COVID-19: Summary Report

COVID-19 is amplifying the relationship between mental health and substance use

A new Leger poll commissioned by the Mental Health Commission of Canada and the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction highlights the disproportionate impact of COVID-19-related stressors on people with pre-existing substance use disorders or mental illness.

The survey of more than 4,000 Canadian residents found that respondents with past and current mental health concerns indicated both increased and more problematic substance use.  

Key findings:

  • Up to one in two individuals with an existing substance use disorder reported having moderately severe to severe symptoms of depression since March 2020.
  • Up to one in two respondents with current mental health symptoms who use cannabis reported increased use, compared to two in five in the general population.
  • One in three who use alcohol reported increased use, while one in five reported problematic (high risk) use.
  • Moderate and severe anxiety symptoms were highest among respondents with lifetime substance use disorder and lifetime mental health diagnoses.
  • Respondents’ top stressors were their financial situation (14%), social isolation (12%), and the health of family members (11%).

Other reports in this series

Mental Health and Substance Use During COVID-19: Spotlight on Gender and Household Size

Mental Health and Substance Use During COVID-19: Spotlight on Income, Employment, Access

Download the PDF

Feedback Form

Hey, thanks for checking out this resource. After you’ve seen it, we’d love to learn a bit more about your interests and how you found us. Was the information what you looking for? Was it helpful? We’ll use any feedback you provide to further improve what we do.

Are you willing to be contacted within 3 to 6 months for a short follow-up survey?
In case of “Yes” – please provide an email address
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

SHARE THIS PAGE

RELATED

High Cost of Living and Mental Health
This webinar offers insights on the mental health impacts of the high cost of living on diverse communities and explores the complex relationship between mental health and money, housing, food,...
READ MORE

A Vision for Quality Mental Health Care for All
Mental health affects everyone, including health-care workers. This video tells the story of an individual who finds access to quality mental health care services — but only after an overwhelming...
READ MORE

International Scan: Highlights: Mental Health and Substance Use Health Workforce Strategies
The mental health and substance use health (MHSUH) impacts of COVID-19 and the overdose crisis have increased the gap between what the population needs and what the service system can...
READ MORE