Back-to-school season is here — and it's bringing some serious health concerns with it. Youth mental health disorders are on the rise, while respiratory illnesses are expected to surge.
Canadian mental health has been declining since before the COVID-19 pandemic — and youth aged 15-24 are feeling it the most. As we gear up for back-to-school season, we still don't know exactly why.
The Toronto Star reports about one in six Canadians are experiencing a mood, anxiety, or substance abuse disorder as of 2022, according to a new McMaster University study. Of these, two in five were living with more than one disorder at a time. This is significantly worse than numbers back in 2012.
But this isn't just a Canada problem. The drop in mental health has been recorded in multiple high-income countries — with youth and women being hit the hardest. While fewer Canadians are using substances, a greater share of those who are appear to be using them as a way to distress and manage poor mental health symptoms.
The thing is, anxiety and other mood disorders are expected to surge in September as youth in Canada head back to school — and this year is no different. So what's the problem?
Youth mental health services are struggling to keep up. The Canadian Press reports that the 24-7 mental health support line has already seen more calls for help come in this year, including a 27 per cent increase in overnight calls. What's more, they expect a 10 per cent increase in calls once school starts again.
A text for help comes in every 90 seconds overnight on average — that is, when they're not backed up by volume. More youth are seeking support at night because that’s often the only free time they have after school and extracurriculars. Late-night doomscrolling hasn't helped anxiety, either.
Much like anxiety and mood disorders, respiratory illness often surges during September, too. The difference? We don't know how much this season will bring yet.
Data from Public Health Ontario shows that current positivity rates for COVID-19, RSV and influenza remains “low” overall — but they're starting to creep up.
CTV reports that last September, the COVID-19 positivity hit nearly 10 per cent in Ontario, which is the highest level recorded over the past year. Now, it's currently up 1.4 per cent compared to 0.4 per cent in July.
We already know that emergency departments are struggling to keep up with demand, and another harsh flu season won't help its case.
The Globe and Mail reports that ED's in cities across Canada saw numbers like never before this summer. In Alberta, there were 7,485 emergency inpatients waiting for a hospital bed on July 26 — an eight per cent increase from the July count last year, a 96 per cent jump from five years ago and a 176 per cent rise from 2016.
Overcrowding, aging population, and limited access to outside care are just a few reasons to blame, experts say.
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Canada Healthwatch
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