COVID and the Draining of Mental Health Resources

Local 514 host Savanna Craig interviews Certified Canadian Councillor & Somatic Experiencing Practitioner Pareneet Chohan about how the pandemic has drained mental health resources and the ability for Montrealers to access those resources in a timely manner.

Mental illness has increased during the pandemic, along with the need for mental health support. 86% of patients receiving mental health services reported an increase in mental distress. 70% of those treated say the increase in these feelings are caused by the pandemic. These statistics only include Quebeccers being treated for mental illness. 

At the start of summer of 2020, 16,000 were on a waiting list to receive mental health services. This number has grown to 19,000, recorded from last November. Recent data has shown that the average wait is up to 8 months to receive public mental health services. 

Among 1,209 students surveyed across 17 QB universities last fall, 52% said they needed mental health support, while 77% said they did not seek professional help, as a result of not being able to afford it or not having enough time.

Parneet discusses how she and colleagues have had to put interested clients on waitlists as a result of the pandemic, how she deals with this increase and self care she practices to not get burnt out, and helps us understand other factors leading to increased mental illness during the pandemic.

Free mental health services in Quebec:

Local Community Service Centres (CLSC) offer 12 free sessions with a private therapist.

AMI-Quebec offers free support groups for those suffering from mental illness, family caregivers supporting a loved one with a mental illness, and those experiencing both.

La Maison St. Jacques offers free group psychotherapy for adults 18-50 and group support for mothers.

If you are experiencing an immediate mental health crisis, please visit a crisis centre.

Intervention and short term housing is available @ Association Iris in Montreal North, Centre L’Autre Maison in Montreal South-West and Équipe Mobile de Crise Résolution in Montreal East. 24/7 hotline for over the phone intervention is available at Suicide Action Montreal (1-866-277-3553), Tracom (514-483-3033) and Le Transit (514-282-7753).

Part of this interview was used for episode 3 of Local 514, focused on the increase in need for mental health services in Montreal. To watch the full episode, click here.