Increased Loneliness During the Pandemic

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The pandemic has taken its toll on everyone’s mental health. People have been feeling stress and anxiety due to isolation, fear of getting sick, and grieving the loss of normalcy or perhaps loved ones. The pandemic also limited all social contact, exercise, time spent outside, and generally interrupted our daily routines. This week, Quebec is lifting its “28-day” curfew measure after nearly six months. 

But, even with the reopening plan having been announced, the effects of the last year linger on. Many Quebecers have reported feeling anxious about returning to “normal” social life after months of confinement and fear. So, even if they have the option to socialize again, many will continue to social distance, contributing to loneliness. Others don’t have access to a support network that can help them work through these feelings, and are disconnected from family or friends. 

The pandemic exacerbated already-existing issues like femicides and domestic violence as well. In April, 10 women had already been murdered, leading Quebec to declare a domestic violence crisis. Addiction and overdose have also been on the rise. A report released in December 2020 showed that 40% of Canadians have struggled with their mental health and addiction since the pandemic started. In 2020, 547 people died from opioid overdoses in Quebec and Ontario saw a 135% increase in overdose deaths. 

Young people and students have been particularly affected by loneliness and feeling disconnected as well as symptoms of anxiety and depression. Loneliness was already on the rise pre-pandemic with one in five Canadians reporting feeling lonely in 2018. Studies show that social media is a contributing factor to feeling lonely and isolated and while we’ve been social distancing, many have been using social media as their window to the outside world. 

Like young people, seniors have been dealing with loneliness long before the pandemic. Those who are in hospitals and nursing homes, which were ravaged by COVID-19, are especially vulnerable. Their families haven’t been allowed to visit and many aren’t comfortable with technology, which increases feelings of loneliness and fear. 

Loneliness is deadly. Studies have shown that being lonely directly affects life expectancy by weakening the immune system, which may increase vulnerability to disease and infection. Extended periods of loneliness may increase mental and physical disease and impact the brain, affecting its reasoning and memory performances, hormone homeostasis (which controls blood glucose levels and blood pressure), the brain’s amount of grey and white matter, and connectivity and function. The risks get higher the longer people are in a state of loneliness. 

If you’re lacking a support network or fear returning to a semi-normal social life as the province reopens this summer, you are not alone. Face a Face offers counselling services and an active listening line to offer you the opportunity to express your thoughts and feelings in a welcoming and confidential environment. We aim to support vulnerable and isolated individuals to encourage the process of empowerment and social reintegration. 

We have a team of trained interns and community workers who are available to listen to you to help you overcome your personal difficulties. Together we can identify your strengths and personal resources to help you cope. A referral service is also available for other mental health and community resources.

Even if you don’t want counselling services and just need someone to listen to you and chat, don’t hesitate to call our support line at 514-934-4546. 

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