Mental Illness during the Pandemic: Survey on COVID-19 and Mental Health (SCMH) cycles 1, 2 & 3:

This datablog provides a summary of the data from SCMH cycles 1, 2 & 3

Last updated: 2025-06-26
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Summary

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected individuals, families, and communities in several ways. As of May 2023, the World Health Organization declared that COVID-19 is an established and ongoing health issue that no longer constitutes a global health threat. However, many people in Canada continue to feel its effects.

The Survey on COVID-19 and Mental Health (SCMH)^{Footnote 1} collected data to assess symptoms of mental illness and well-being of people in Canada during the pandemic. The first cycle of data for the SCMH was collected from September to December 2020. The second cycle took place from February to May 2021. The final cycle of data was collected from February to May 2023. The Public Health Agency of Canada released a series of infographics highlighting data from cycles 1 and 2. These infographics focused on symptoms of anxiety and depression, and those of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), during the pandemic.

By the end of the pandemic (SCMH cycle 3), more than 8 out of 10 people in Canada reported experiencing negative impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 1 out of 5 people reported some level of distress in the month prior to completing the survey. This data blog summarizes findings on the impact of the pandemic on mental illness at different stages of the pandemic: early pandemic (cycle 1), middle of the pandemic (cycle 2), and end of the pandemic (cycle 3).^{Footnote 2}

This data blog also provides more detailed tables using data from the SCMH. To access and download the tables, click the "Data tables" tab above.

SCMH - Cycle 3: Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression (February to May 2023)

Anxiety and Depression

Feelings of anxiety and depression are some of the most common symptoms of mental illness.

Symptoms of anxiety can include excessive and constant feelings of nervousness, as well as worry and fear.^{Footnote 3}

Depression symptoms may include lack of energy, agitation, and low mood.^{Footnote 4}

The SCMH used symptom-based screening tools to help identify individuals with moderate to severe symptoms of anxiety and depression. These individuals would screen positive for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or major depressive disorder (MDD).^{Footnote 5} However, diagnosing a disorder related to symptoms of anxiety or depression requires a trained and licensed healthcare professional.

Symptoms of anxiety (GAD) and depression (MDD) in people in Canada aged 18 and over

Overall, 23% of people in Canada screened positive for GAD, MDD, or both.

15% screened positive for GAD. This prevalence was:

higher among women (18%) than men (12%)
highest among those aged 18-34 (22%)
higher among women than men in these age groups:
- 2 times higher among the 35-49 age group
- 1.5 times higher among the 18-34, and 65 and over age groups

18% screened positive for MDD. This prevalence was:

higher among women (20%) than men (15%)
highest among those aged 18-34 (28%)
higher among women than men in these age groups:
- 1.5 times higher among the 18-34 and 35-49 age groups
- 2.5 times higher among the 65 and over age group

Groups with higher prevalence

The proportion of individuals screening positive for GAD, MDD, or both disorders was 1.5 times higher among:

Indigenous groups ^Footnote6
frontline workers^Footnote7
those with decreased income due to the COVID-19 pandemic
those who experienced a traumatic event during their lifetime

Alcohol and cannabis

Compared to those who did not screen positive for GAD, MDD, or both disorders, those who screened positive were:

3 times more likely to report daily or almost daily heavy drinking^Footnote8
2.5 times more likely to report increased alcohol use since the beginning of the pandemic
3 times more likely to report daily cannabis use
4.5 times more likely to report increased cannabis use since the beginning of the pandemic

Symptoms of anxiety and depression can be both acute and long-lasting. While the pandemic is no longer considered a global health threat, learning to manage stress in healthy ways remains essential for reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. If you or someone you know is in crisis or needs mental health support, it is important to talk to a healthcare provider or mental health professional and explore available support services.

For more information

References

Footnote 1

Statistics Canada. Survey on COVID-19 and Mental Health (SCMH). 2023 (Retrieved October 2024). Available from: https://www.statcan.gc.ca/en/survey/household/5330

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Footnote 2

Please note that these rates appear to be higher than those reported in cycle 2 (February to May 2021; with 6,592 participants). These differences are likely due to the smaller number of survey participants in cycle 2, which increased the variability of estimates. In contrast, the rates from cycle 3 (with 11,526 participants) are comparable to those from cycle 1 (February to May 2020; with 12,344 participants), which had a similar sample size.

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Footnote 3

American Psychiatric Association. Anxiety Disorders. In Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). 2022 (Retrieved January 2025). Available from: https://dsm.psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787.x05_Anxiety_Disorders

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Footnote 4

American Psychiatric Association. Depressive Disorders. In Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). 2022 (Retrieved January 2025). Available from: https://dsm.psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787.x04_Depressive_Disorders

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Footnote 5

The severity of anxiety and depression were measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) respectively. These clinical screening tools are widely used in population health surveys to identify those who may have generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, with scores of ≥10 (i.e., moderate to severe symptoms) in the two weeks prior to completing the survey. The data reported above do not necessarily reflect a clinical diagnosis of these conditions.

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Footnote 6

Indigenous groups refers to First Nations, Métis, or Inuk (Inuit). Persons living on reserves and Aboriginal settlements in the provinces were excluded from the Survey on COVID-19 and Mental Health.

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Footnote 7

A frontline worker was defined as “an individual who has the potential to come in direct contact with COVID-19 by assisting those who have been diagnosed with the virus”. Examples provided were “police officers, firefighters, paramedics, nurses or doctors”.

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Footnote 8

Heavy drinking is defined as 4+ alcoholic drinks for women and 5+ alcoholic drinks for men in one sitting.

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SCMH - Cycle 3: Symptoms of PTSD (February to May 2023)

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

PTSD is a mental disorder that may occur after exposure to psychological stress. It is a collection of feelings, behaviours and experiences that can result from a single specific, severe, potentially psychologically traumatic event, or from a series of such events.^Footnote9

Symptoms of PTSD include recurring and distressing memories, avoiding reminders of the event(s), and disturbed sleep.^{Footnote 10}

The SCMH used a symptom-based screening tool to help identify individuals with moderate to severe symptoms of PTSD. These individuals would screen positive for PTSD.^{Footnote 11} However, a diagnosis of PTSD requires a trained and licensed healthcare professional.

Symptoms of PTSD in people in Canada aged 18 and over

64% have experienced at least one traumatic event in their lifetime.

8% screened positive for PTSD. This prevalence was:

higher among women (9%) than men (6%)
highest among those aged 18-34 (14% among women and 9% among men)
lowest among those 65 and over (3%)
higher among frontline workers^{Footnote 12} (11%) than non-frontline workers (8%)

Impacts of COVID-19 pandemic

Compared to those who did not screen positive for PTSD, those who screened positive were 2 to 3 times more likely to report being impacted by the pandemic in terms of:

difficulty meeting financial obligations/essential needs
challenges in personal relationships with household members
physical health problems

Mental health-related issues

Compared to those who did not screen positive for PTSD, those who screened positive were:

6-7 times more likely to report symptoms of anxiety or depression^{Footnote 13} in the past 2 weeks
4 times more likely to report thoughts of suicide in their lifetime
3.5 times more likely to report increased cannabis use since the beginning of the pandemic
3 times more likely to report daily cannabis use in the past month
2 times more likely to report increased alcohol use since the beginning of the pandemic
1.5 times more likely to report heavy drinking^{Footnote 14} in the past month

The Government of Canada recognizes the tremendous impact that PTSD has on individuals, families, communities, and workplaces. If you or someone you know is in crisis or needs mental health support, it is important to talk to a healthcare provider or mental health professional and explore available support services.

For more information

References

Footnote 9

Heber A, Testa V, Groll D, Ritchie K, Tam-Seto L, Mulligan A, Sullo E, Schick A, Bose E, Jabbari Y, Lopes J. Glossary of terms: A shared understanding of the common terms used to describe psychological trauma, version 3.0. Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention in Canada: Research, Policy and Practice. 2023 Nov;43(10-11):S1. Available from: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/reports-publications/health-promotion-chronic-disease-prevention-canada-research-policy-practice/vol-43-no-10-11-2023/glossary-common-terms-psychological-trauma-version-3-0.html

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Footnote 10

American Psychiatric Association. Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders. In Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). 2022 (Retrieved December 2024). Available: https://dsm.psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787.x07_Trauma_and_Stressor_Related_Disorders

Return to footnote10referrer

Footnote 11

Individuals screened positive for PTSD if they had a total score of ≥33 on the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). Screening positive does not necessarily indicate a diagnosis. Available from: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/assessment/screens/pc-ptsd.asp

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Footnote 12

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Footnote 13

Moderate to severe anxiety and depression were represented by scores of ≥10 on the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), respectively. Scores on these screening tools do not necessarily indicate a diagnosis.

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Footnote 14

Heavy drinking was defined as 4+ alcoholic drinks for women and 5+ alcoholic drinks for men in one sitting.

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SCMH - Cycle 2 (February to May 2021)

Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression during the COVID-19 Pandemic

infographic mental illness and anxiety depression

23% of Canadians screened positive for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and/or major depressive disorder (MDD).

This infographic looks at:

The proportion of Canadians who screened positive, by age group and gender
Use of alcohol and cannabis
Groups with a higher proportion of screening positive for GAD and/or MDD

Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder during the COVID-19 Pandemic

7% of Canadians screened positive for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

This infographic looks at:

The proportion of Canadians who screened positive, by age group and gender
Impacts of COVID-19
Mental health-related issues

SCMH - Cycle 1 (February to May 2020)

Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression during the COVID-19 Pandemic

19% of Canadians screened positive for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and/or major depressive disorder (MDD).

This infographic looks at:

The proportion of Canadians who screened positive, by age group and gender
Use of alcohol and cannabis
Groups with a higher proportion of screening positive for GAD and/or MDD

Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder during the COVID-19 Pandemic

6% of Canadians screened positive for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

This infographic looks at:

The proportion of Canadians who screened positive, by age group and gender
Impacts of COVID-19
Mental health-related issues

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Date modified:: 2025-06-26

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Mental Illness during the Pandemic: Survey on COVID-19 and Mental Health (SCMH) cycles 1, 2 & 3:

Summary

Anxiety and Depression

Symptoms of anxiety (GAD) and depression (MDD) in people in Canada aged 18 and over

Groups with higher prevalence

Alcohol and cannabis

For more information

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Symptoms of PTSD in people in Canada aged 18 and over

Impacts of COVID-19 pandemic

Mental health-related issues

For more information

Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder during the COVID-19 Pandemic

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