Most Ontarians fear second wave of COVID-19, worries linked to actions of others: CMHA poll

A new poll shows an overwhelming majority of Ontarians (84 per cent) remain concerned about the possibility of a second wave of COVID-19, primarily driven by worry of other people not following the proper distancing rules as businesses and schools reopen.

The survey conducted by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Ontario Division indicates respondents are worried people are becoming too relaxed too quickly (83 per cent), about coming in contact with people who are not taking the proper precautions (78 per cent), and that others are not following physical distancing guidelines (84 per cent).

Additionally, 79 per cent fear the possibility of the province going back into lockdown if a second wave hits Ontario, and 85 per cent are concerned that a second wave will “put us back where we started.”

This data comes from the second of three polls Pollara Strategic Insights is conducting on behalf of CMHA Ontario. The first poll, released in May, showed a majority of Ontarians believe the province is headed for a mental health crisis.

CMHA Ontario is looking to evaluate how Ontarians’ perceptions of their mental health are changing as they come out from underneath the pandemic. One more survey in the coming months will measure perceptions of loosening restrictions and the province’s reopening.

Parents concerned amid back-to-school season
Poll results also indicated parents are particularly stressed about sending their children back to the classroom during the pandemic. Specifically:

• More than six in 10 parents (64 per cent) are concerned about their own anxiety if their child is expected to go to school in September
• Nearly eight in 10 worry about their child contracting COVID-19 at school (78 per cent) or bringing the virus into the household and infecting other people (79 per cent)
• Six in 10 parents (61 per cent) are concerned physical distancing measures could have a negative impact on a child’s ability to learn
• If schooled at home, more than six in 10 parents are concerned about their child’s motivation and productivity in the home environment (67 per cent), being able to provide educational support at home (64 per cent) and the ability of their child to learn at home (63 per cent)

Comparison: first poll versus second poll
While concerns around mental health in general remain high, results of CMHA Ontario’s second poll, when compared its first poll, indicated the negative impact of COVID-19 on mental health has slightly declined or remains unchanged. In particular:

• In the first poll, most Ontarians (86 per cent) agreed the strain on mental health will worsen the longer the outbreak continues, which remains somewhat consistent through the second poll (83 per cent)
• Two-thirds of Ontarians (66 per cent; down from 69 per cent) still believe once the outbreak is over, there may be a serious mental health crisis in the province
• The vast majority of Ontarians (86 per cent; down from 87 per cent) remain worried about the impact of COVID-19 on the older generation
• However, half (50 per cent) of Ontarians feel confident that they would be able to find mental health supports for themselves or family members if needed, a significant increase (up from 44 per cent)

Pollara’s online research of 1,002 Ontario adults was conducted from July 23 to Aug. 2. It carries a margin of error of ± 3.1 per cent, 19 times out of 20.

Mental health and addictions supports have remained available through the pandemic at CMHA HKPR. Learn more here.