Mental health and substance use during COVID-19: Summary report 3 spotlight on income, employment, access

Key findings include:

Substance use and mental health concerns are greatest among people with low income or who are unemployed:Problematic cannabis use was reported by 50% of respondents with low income or who are unemployed who use cannabis, while problematic alcohol use was reported by more than 30% of those who drink alcohol.
Similarly, 45% of respondents with low income or who are unemployed reported moderate to severe anxiety, and more than 30% reported moderately severe to severe depression.
Among people with low income or who are unemployed, 25% reported finances as the top pandemic stress.
More people are accessing virtual services, but rates of access remain low. Among those surveyed, 20% of those with mental health concerns reported accessing virtual services, compared with 10% of those with substance use concerns.
People with low income or who are unemployed face significantly more barriers to mental health and substance use treatment services. The most commonly cited barriers include financial constraints, help not being readily available, not knowing how and where to get help, and long waitlists.