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New data released in time for聽Mental Health Week by the聽Canadian Mental Health Association shows聽Canadians are feeling more isolated than ever during the pandemic.

Feelings of isolation increased by 12 points from 35 per cent to 47 per cent in less than one month. More than two-thirds (68 per cent) of Saskatchewan people report they would like to experience more meaningful social interactions in their daily life.

鈥淢ost Canadians want more social connection, yet they鈥檙e reluctant to have the kind of honest, open conversations that build the connection they crave,鈥� Margaret Eaton, national CEO of CMHA said in a release.

鈥淚n our society, it鈥檚 a cultural norm to ask people how they鈥檙e doing, but not to expect, nor provide, a truthful answer. This Mental Health Week, it鈥檚 time to get real about how we feel. It鈥檚 clear we need each other more than ever.鈥�

Most people in Saskatchewan rely on shortcuts to describe their emotional state 鈥� even during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the new data by the Canadian CMHA in partnership with Maru/Matchbox, 73 per cent of those asked 鈥渉ow are you?鈥� rely on 鈥淚鈥檓 fine, thanks鈥� to express how they鈥檙e doing, despite the fact that people in Saskatchewan are feeling more negative emotions than positive ones these days (65 per cent negative vs. 35 per cent positive).

Prior to the COVID-19 global pandemic, loneliness was already a major public health concern. People with weak or few social connections are at increased risk for anxiety, depression, anti-social behaviour and suicide. And a lack of strong relationships has the same negative impact on life expectancy as smoking 15 cigarettes a day according to the organization.

Due to physical distancing measures, people are isolated in their homes, missing out on family events and in-person activities and it appears they鈥檙e feeling it. Half of Saskatchewan people are feeling anxious (50 per cent), and only 13 per cent are feeling happy. As we face social distancing measures, it鈥檚 important to note that people don鈥檛 need to be close to feel close.

鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 just feel good to connect 鈥� it鈥檚 actually good for everyone鈥檚 mental health,鈥� Phyllis O鈥機onnor, Executive Director, CMHA- Sask. Division said.

Strong social networks lead to better self-esteem, coping mechanisms and a sense of well-being, and reduce depression and distress by providing emotional support, companionship and opportunities for meaningful social engagement.

The organization has created phone lines and other measures to assist with these feelings. You can find the phone line to a CMHA Wellness Support Response worker near you on their website at sk.cmha.ca or on our Canadian Mental Health Association, Saskatchewan Division Facebook page.

There are also free online courses available at their H.O.P.E. Learning Centre including 鈥淐oping with Current Events鈥�, and 鈥淲ellness Management鈥� for which you can register by email at聽[email protected].