Okay.
So we looked at two aspects. The first is a review of the research on mental health during COVID-19. The second is the observations of psychologists, members of our order, regarding the deterioration in the health of clients, both in the public health network and in private practice.
The observations reported in the literature and research on mental health and those of our members converge fairly well.
First, quite a significant increase in anxiety has been observed. We know that, in a matter of months, people had to adapt to a lot of things. For some people, grief has accumulated. For others, and I would even say for the majority, fatigue and psychological wear and tear have set in.
An increase in depression or symptoms of depression has also been observed. This often manifests itself through loss of energy, loss of pleasure, feelings of self-deprecation, feelings of inadequacy, a state of discouragement or despair, or difficulties with sleep and appetite.
There is also an increase in other more serious mental disorders, particularly in people who are experiencing cognitive loss as a result of aging. Their condition is worsening, particularly as a result of increased stressors. Less attention is being paid to these individuals and, for some, the pandemic is causing a disruption in mental health services.
In addition, there is an increase in alcohol consumption and dependence on other substances.
Furthermore, health care workers are particularly vulnerable. Many studies show an increase in anxiety and depression among health care workers.
The lockdown leads to an increase in psychological distress and feelings of discouragement.
In 96% of people affected by COVID-19, some symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder were observed at the end of their quarantine.
The young and the elderly were particularly affected by the lockdown. Seniors were affected by loneliness, isolation, lack of work or activities, and sometimes even by not being able to leave the house. For young people, their social and emotional development was impeded.
We surveyed the members of the Ordre des psychologues du Québec. First, 86% of them responded that they had observed an increase in anxiety. Second, 67% of our members observed that former clients had returned for treatment. Also, 65% of our members told us that they had managed crisis situations or emergencies. In addition, 70% told us that they had seen an increase in the symptoms of depression. To a lesser degree, 44% of them observed relational or parental difficulties as well as an increase in alcohol consumption, break-ups and suicidal issues.
Let me briefly talk about telepractice or virtual practice adaptations. Studies have previously shown that telepractice is effective. Many psychologists who had previously used telepractice minimally began to use it. According to the literature, 86% of them have used it. Half of our members said that it met the needs of people during the pandemic. However, more than half said it had an impact on communication and interaction during treatment.
I will briefly mention what we have done to support the public.
At the beginning of the pandemic, we released general advice on how to stay psychologically healthy. We provided advice for parents, children, adolescents and parents of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. We also offered advice for the bereaved, people whose loved ones were in long-term care centres and died from COVID-19.
We also conducted more than 200 media interviews in an attempt to understand the psychological effects of the pandemic. We also produced short videos to help people.
For psychologists in Quebec, we prepared specific training, such as training on telepractice and crisis intervention. We communicated extensively with our members to provide them with practice and ethical advice that could support their practice during this exceptional period.
With the support of the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux and the Ministère de l'Éducation, of course, we also worked to find possible solutions to adapt services and protect people from the difficulties and psychological distress that may arise.
In conclusion, it is imperative to increase mental health care and services for the public. A form of mental health pandemic is developing at the same time, and it is likely to last longer than the pandemic itself. It is therefore important to increase the availability of mental health services, but also to diversify them in order to meet all the needs of Quebeckers. Access to psychotherapy, a treatment shown to be effective, must also become universal and free.
Thank you.