Findings of Poll #9

Access the Abridged Report and Full Report of the findings of our eighth national poll

ABOUT THE STUDY

This study was conducted by Pollara Strategic Insights with an online sample of 4,108 adult Canadians and was conducted between October 22nd to November 3rd, 2021. Results from a probability sample of this size could be considered accurate to within ±1.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. Results have been weighted based on age, gender, and region to be representative of the Canadian population. 

A series of research briefs that provide an in-depth, specific investigation of our polling results can be found here. Results of earlier polls are compared when applicable.  

Findings from Polls 2 to 9 are searchable on our free Data Portal.

 

Poll 9 examines how the implementation of proof of vaccination is impacting Canadians’ mental health; levels of anxiety and hopefulness; and access to support.

Conducted October 22nd-November 3rd 2021, Poll 9 finds 47% of Canadians responding say the proof of vaccination mandate has had a positive effect on their mental health.

Dr. David Dozois, PhD, CPsych, Director of the Clinical Psychology Graduate Program at Western University, and MHRC Board Member, who participated in the design of the survey, observes: “These data demonstrate that as long as Covid is with us, significant numbers of Canadians will continue to be impacted in terms of mental health.”

Major findings include:

  • The newly mandated proof of vaccination has had a positive impact on the mental health of 47% of Canadians polled, with 25% saying it has had a very positive impact.

  • In contrast, 47% of respondents who declared themselves as unvaccinated stated implementation of the proof of vaccination mandate has had a negative effect on their mental health.

  • Overall, poll respondents indicated their anxiety is decreasing: the percentage of Canadians reporting high levels of anxiety decreased to 23% from 25% (compared with the results of MHRC’s August 2021 poll).

  • However, suicide ideation remains high: 14% of respondents said they have thought about suicide in the past year, with 3% having planned a suicide attempt.

  • Nonetheless, respondents stated feeling more hopeful this year: 68% responded they are hopeful ‘most of the time’ or ‘always’ hopeful about their future, a 13% increase from MHRC’s poll conducted August 17th-21st 2021.

  • Access to mental health support has increased 4% over the past seven months, from 18% to 22%. The use of virtual services has also increased since MHRC’s poll conducted from August 17th to 21st of this year, up from 1% to 8% of respondents.

Akela Peoples, CEO of Mental Health Research Canada, adds: “Since MHRC began collecting data a few weeks into the pandemic, we have issued our reports at unprecedented speed. This ensures stakeholders across Canada have relevant, up to date, and timely data to guide their communities and sectors as they move forward. We are pleased to see the data have been so useful to so many.”