Year: 2022 Source: Ottawa, ON: Authors. (2021). 28 p. SIEC No: 20220242

Significant mental health and substance use concerns continued into early summer 2021 with little change since October 2020.
• Youth (aged 16 to 24 years) were most likely to report mental health and substance use concerns and less ability to handle pandemic stress.
• Almost 45% of youth reported moderate to severe anxiety symptoms.
• About 40% of youth who use alcohol, cannabis or both reported increased use in the past month.
• Older adults (aged 65 years and older), by comparison, showed signs of better mental health, less problematic substance use and stronger coping skills
• 9% of older adults reported moderate to severe anxiety symptoms.
• About 20% of older adults who use alcohol, cannabis or both reported increased use.
• Perceived stigma toward depression was still common, although shifting among youth, and perceived stigma toward alcohol use disorder was even more prevalent.
• More than half or respondents (53%) said they believe stigma toward people with depression is still present.
• Two thirds of respondents (68%) said they believe stigma toward people with an alcohol use disorder is still present.
• People with past and current substance use concerns show signs of worsening mental health.
• In July 2021, 22% of people with a history of substance use disorder reported seriously contemplating suicide in the
past month. In November 2020, it was 13%.
• Together, these findings highlight the importance of continued investment in youth mental health and substance use supports,
fostering the resilience of older adults and further stigma reduction efforts across the population.