Porcupine Health Unit wants to know how people coped with the pandemic
Over the next couple of weeks, a telephone survey will be conducted on behalf of the health unit as a follow-up to a survey that was conducted two years ago.
Porcupine Health Unit officials say as the region continues to learn how to live with covid-19, they're committed to improving the mental wellness of the people they serve.
A telephone survey to be conducted by EKOS Research will ask people a few questions.
“We do encourage you to take the call and take the time to complete the survey. Otherwise, you can always contact the health unit if you want to share some information or some thoughts about mental health and well-being,” said the health unit’s Chantal Riopel
Riopel said this survey will be a follow-up to one conducted in Dec 2020, eight months into the pandemic.
From the 400 respondents at that time, she said more than a quarter of them revealed their mental health had worsened during the pandemic. And, that alcohol, cannabis, and tobacco use had increased in some age groups.
“We want to be able to compare and see what the differences are, how much of the impact it has had on our community members, and if it’s changed, what that looks like.”
Officials with the District School Board Ontario North East said when the community is struggling, its students are struggling.
Lesleigh Dye said the pandemic has exacerbated issues of food and housing insecurity.
“Some of our schools, more than in the past, are making sure students have food for the weekend. We have some students who are relying on friends and other extended families for shelter.”
As a result, Dye said 20 percent of the 7-thousand students the board serves, requires assessments and or therapeutic support.
The health unit's survey will end on June 3, and the results will be posted on its website.
Health officials said the information will help them know what type of support the community needs to help people heal.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Canucks claw out 5-4 comeback win over Oilers in Game 1
Dakota Joshua had a goal and two assists and the Vancouver Canucks scored three third-period goals to claw out a 5-4 comeback victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Wednesday.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.