Page 9 - Huronia Community Foundation - 2023 Vital Signs Report
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collected in other parts of before age 25. A key finding
Ontario showing that only from the 2019 Ontario Student
40.8% of residents are able Drug Use and Health Study
to see their family doctor or was the high level of mental
someone else on the same health problems among
day or next day when they youth. Almost 31% of Simcoe
are ill (9). Muskoka students report their
mental health as fair or poor,
Another innovation to with more females (42%) than
improve access to services males (20%) reporting fair or
is virtual care including apps poor mental health. A larger
and video appointments. percentage of students in lower
Many local agencies are now Photo courtesy of the YMCA Simcoe/Muskoka. socioeconomic groups perceive
offering virtual as well in their mental health as fair or
person services. 87% of respondents to the Vital poor compared to other socioeconomic groups
Signs survey said they have reliable Internet, so (13). The impact of isolation, loss of employment
they are able to take advantage of these new opportunities and disrupted learning during the
virtual options (10).
pandemic have only made the situation worse.
MENTAL HEALTH INDICATORS Mental Health agencies are implementing
In 2020, the percentage of people experiencing new ways to respond to the growing need. For
a mental illness in the previous two years was example, the Newpath Quick Access Mental
slightly higher in the North Simcoe area (22.5%) Health Clinic (14) provides an appointment
compared to Ontario (18.5%) (11). with a mental health professional for children,
youth, and their families. This clinic was the first
Many reports suggest that since then, the recipient of the Huronia Community Foundation’s
mental health of residents has worsened due new Bimbombay Memorial Fund (15).
to the impacts of the pandemic. In particular,
certain groups like health care workers, youth
and people living with mental illnesses have
experienced declining mental health.
A) HEALTH CARE WORKER MENTAL HEALTH
Health care workers faced a high degree
of uncertainty during the pandemic with
equipment shortages, staff illness, isolation,
visitor limitations, inequitable pandemic
incentives, and caring for severely ill patients.
Findings of a study by Georgian College and
Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care
found that hospital workers in North Simcoe Source: https://newpath.ca/2022/11/18/the-bimbombay-memorial-fund/
experienced increased staff burnout and stress
as a result of the pandemic (12). C) PEOPLE LIVING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS AND
SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS
B) YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH People living with mental illness and substance
When it comes to mental health, early use disorders are another segment of our
identification and intervention is critical. Most community that was significantly affected by
mental health concerns start to develop the pandemic. Specifically, isolation, a toxic
North Simcoe and Area’s Vital Signs Report 2023 | 9
