Impact on mental health not addressed in latest round of restrictions: expert

Many experts say this latest set of COVID-19 restrictions could once again have a large impact on people’s mental health.

The province gave residents just two-days notice that they would yet again not be able to access some activities, including recreational activities and the gym. Some say the latest measures didn’t take into account the negative effects on the general public.

Sociology professor with Sheridan College Sabreena Ghaffar-Siddiqui said there are a lot of people struggling right now due to the province’s decision and a popular tool to help manage stress and anxiety is gone along with it.

“What’s really ironic and strange is you could go get your nails done, you can go to the mall to purchase something but you can’t go to the gym, which would help you with any stress or mental health issues that you might be feeling because of the lockdown,” said Ghaffar-Siddiqui.

Toronto resident Andrew Sturrock is one of the many who are upset by the measures, which come into effect on Wednesday.

“People like me who kind of did everything right during the pandemic, I stayed at home when it was asked in 2020/2021, got vaccinated, got boosted as soon as I could. To hear that all these places especially the ones that were vaccinated-only places are closing down… it’s disappointing and frustrating,” said Sturrock.

“I rely on the gym to maintain my mental health. That’s my own place to go release my stress. To kind of continuously lose that over and over is getting frustrating,” Sturrock added.

He acknowledged he is one of the lucky ones. Sturrock has a job that allows him to work from home and a place to live, but that isn’t the case for everyone.

Ghaffar-Siddiqui said while she isn’t against the tighter restrictions, she doesn’t support the abruptness of the announcement and general handling of the situation.

“The people who are more likely to survive lockdown [and] online schooling are people who have access to power, wealth and resources,” said Ghaffar-Siddiqui. “Single mothers, for example, how are they supposed to navigate that online school system if they’re working, and they don’t have a partner who is able to join them and help them.”

“The province may be doing the right thing by putting these measures in place but where are the supports necessary for those who are experiencing lockdown very differently than those in privileged positions,” explained Ghaffar-Siddiqui.

“I think the plan to be able to manage this that doesn’t require consistently locking down businesses and closing businesses every few months needs to be figured out,” said Sturrock.

The provincial government is providing free emergency childcare for school-aged children of health care and other eligible frontline workers.

They say they are also looking into grants and other supports for businesses and workers impacted by this latest set of restrictions.

It’s been a lot of situations over the past few years where we’ve heard the lines ‘This is the light at the end of the tunnel,’ ‘The worst of it’s behind us’ and hearing that over and over again it kind of makes it feel like those words have lost value,” said Sturrock. “I’m hoping this time around, it truly is the worst behind us.”