Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/public-health-annual-report-opioid-deaths-skyrocket-1.5780129
Opioid deaths skyrocket, mental health suffers due to pandemic restrictions, new federal report says
Canadians used to be among the happiest people in the world. That's changing.
John Paul Tasker ? CBC News ? Posted: Oct 28, 2020 12:44 PM ET | Last Updated: 8 hours ago
The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on Canadians suffering from mental illness, opioid addiction and other substance abuse problems, says a new study released today by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) which confirms anecdotal reports warning that the pandemic's health consequences extend well beyond the novel coronavirus itself.
Efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19 through social distancing and shutdowns have kept the Canadian caseload relatively low compared to other jurisdictions globally. But the overall health of the population has deteriorated over the last eight months, with more people turning to drugs, alcohol, tobacco and screen time over physical exercise to cope with the stress.
"This year's annual report describes the heavy toll that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on Canadian society, both directly and indirectly," Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam said Wednesday as she released her agency's annual report.
"These findings are more than just uncomfortable facts about our country during this pandemic. They're the lived realities of countless Canadians."...
Opioid deaths skyrocket, mental health suffers due to pandemic restrictions, new federal report says
Canadians used to be among the happiest people in the world. That's changing.
John Paul Tasker ? CBC News ? Posted: Oct 28, 2020 12:44 PM ET | Last Updated: 8 hours ago
The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on Canadians suffering from mental illness, opioid addiction and other substance abuse problems, says a new study released today by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) which confirms anecdotal reports warning that the pandemic's health consequences extend well beyond the novel coronavirus itself.
Efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19 through social distancing and shutdowns have kept the Canadian caseload relatively low compared to other jurisdictions globally. But the overall health of the population has deteriorated over the last eight months, with more people turning to drugs, alcohol, tobacco and screen time over physical exercise to cope with the stress.
"This year's annual report describes the heavy toll that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on Canadian society, both directly and indirectly," Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam said Wednesday as she released her agency's annual report.
"These findings are more than just uncomfortable facts about our country during this pandemic. They're the lived realities of countless Canadians."...
