AUTHOR=Jenkins Emily K. , Slemon Allie , Richardson Chris , Pumarino Javiera , McAuliffe Corey , Thomson Kimberly C. , Goodyear Trevor , Daly Zachary , McGuinness Liza , Gadermann Anne 

TITLE=Mental Health Inequities Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings From Three Rounds of a Cross-Sectional Monitoring Survey of Canadian Adults

JOURNAL=International Journal of Public Health

VOLUME=67

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/international-journal-of-public-health/articles/10.3389/ijph.2022.1604685

DOI=10.3389/ijph.2022.1604685

ISSN=1661-8564

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Objectives:</bold> Adverse mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are well documented; however, there remains limited data detailing trends in mental health at different points in time and across population sub-groups most impacted. This paper draws on data from three rounds of a nationally representative cross-sectional monitoring survey to characterize the mental health impacts of COVID-19 on adults living in Canada (<italic>N</italic> = 9,061).</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> Descriptive statistics were used to examine the mental health impacts of the pandemic using a range of self-reported measures. Multivariate logistic regression models were then used to quantify the independent risks of experiencing adverse mental health outcomes for priority population sub-groups, adjusting for age, gender, and survey round.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> Data illustrate significant disparities in the mental health consequences of the pandemic, with inequitable impacts for sub-groups who experience structural vulnerability related to pre-existing mental health conditions, disability, LGBTQ2+ identity, and Indigenous identity.</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> There is immediate need for population-based approaches to support mental health in Canada and globally. Approaches should attend to the root causes of mental health inequities through promotion and prevention, in addition to treatment.</p>