The Mental Health

Index™ report
Canada, January 2021
 January 2021 report

Table of contents

January highlights 1
The Mental Health Index™ 4
Mental Health Index™ sub-scores 5
The Mental Health Index™ (regional) 8
The Mental Health Index™ (industry) 11
The Mental Stress Change score 12
Mental Stress Change (percentages) 13
The Mental Stress Change (industry) 16
Spotlight 17
Emotional state 17
Changing priorities due to the COVID-19 pandemic 18
Positive impact of the COVID-19 pandemic 19
Negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic 20
Employment during the pandemic 21
Spending habits 22
Overview of the Mental Health Index™ 23
Methodology 23
Calculations 23
Additional data and analyses 24

The Mental Health Index™ — Canada | January 2021 ii

 January 2021 report

January highlights
As Canadians head into 2021, COVID-19 restrictions remain in place in most parts of the A positive score on the Mental
country. The ongoing impact of the pandemic continues to have a negative effect on the Health Index™ indicates better
mental health of Canadians, with January marking ten consecutive months of diminished
mental health when compared to before the pandemic. mental health in the overall
After the initial significant decline measured in April 2020, there were modest increases working population, compared
from May to July 2020. A reversal of this trend occurred in August, followed by a modest to the benchmark period of 2017
improvement in September, a decline in October, a slight improvement in November, and
to 2019. A higher positive score
a decline in December to its lowest point. In January, the score is nearly equal to December
and the same as in April 2020, at the inception of the Index™, and near the start of the reflects greater improvement.
pandemic. The level of mental health in January continues to be a concern as it indicates A negative Mental Health Index™
that the working population is currently as distressed as the most distressed one per cent
score indicates a decline in mental
of working Canadians, prior to 2020.
health compared to the benchmark
The proportion of individuals reporting more stress than the prior month (25 per cent) is
nearly equal to the prior month, while the proportion of individuals reporting less mental period. The more negative the
stress is only 5 per cent. The majority (70 per cent) indicate the same level of stress when score, the greater the decline.
compared to the prior month, however, given the escalation in stress each month since the
A score of zero indicates mental
pandemic, this reflects an elevated level of cumulative stress for this group as well. With
recent increases in cases in many regions of the country, and the resulting restrictions, this health that is the same as it was
strain will likely continue. in the benchmark period.
General psychological health continues its decline. In January, the psychological health risk
score of Canadians is 3.6 points lower than at the start of the Index™, in April 2020.
Extended restrictions and social distancing are leading to an ancillary epidemic of loneliness.
In January, the isolation score is at its lowest point (-12.8) since the inception of the Index™.
The Mental Health Index™ score for managers (-13.2) is lower than for non-managers (-10.7).
Provincial mental health scores since April have shown general improvement until July;
however, several regions showed declines from July to August. In January, Manitoba, The
Maritimes, and Quebec reported modest increases in mental health, while declines are
observed in Newfoundland and Labrador, Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Ontario.

The Mental Health Index™ — Canada | January 2021 1

 January 2021 report

The lowest mental health score in January is observed in Alberta (-14.7), a 0.8-point decline
from December.
For the eighth consecutive month, full-time students have the lowest mental health score
(-26.7) when compared to individuals across all industry sectors. Further, students have
the most significant increase in mental stress (67.5).
Almost one in ten (9 per cent) of respondents have steady employment and supplement their
income with “gigs”; this group has a significantly lower mental health score (-20.2) than even
full (-14.3) or part-time gig workers (-13.0).
Previous findings in June and August 2020 indicate that the most commonly reported emotions
that individuals were experiencing were worry, calm and frustration. Nearly one year into
the pandemic, the most commonly reported emotions continue to be worry (23 per cent),
calm (21 per cent), and frustration (19 per cent) and their proportions are largely the same
as observed in prior months. Women are fifty per cent more likely to report worry as their
primary emotion and fifty per cent less likely to report calm when compared to men.
Those who report gratitude have the strongest mental health.
As Canadians continue to manage their daily lives in a time of global pandemic, thoughts of
temporary adjustments are moving to what the “new normal” could look like. Many Canadians
are rethinking their priorities amid the ongoing impact of the pandemic on work, finances, social
relationships, physical and mental health. The most commonly reported areas respondents
would like to focus on are family (57 per cent), physical health (50 per cent), financial security
(43 per cent), and having fun/enjoying life (42 per cent). One-third of individuals report
wanting to focus on their mental health. Individuals between the ages of 20 and 29 are nearly
twice as likely to report wanting to focus on their mental health when compared to those over
the age of 60.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has touched Canadians in different ways – restricted
social lives, the shift to virtual work, illness, or death of loved ones, etc. At the same time,
some Canadians are reporting inspired changes or unseen benefits because of the pandemic.
The most commonly reported area of positive impact is personal relationships (16 per cent),
followed by financial security (10 per cent), and physical health (9 per cent). Respondents
reporting a positive change in their social lives have the highest mental health score (-5.6).

The Mental Health Index™ — Canada | January 2021 2

 January 2021 report

As expected, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been difficult on most Canadians.
The most commonly reported area of negative change is social life (24 per cent), followed
by mental health (15 per cent), and financial security (13 per cent). The lowest mental health
score is observed among individuals reporting that the most significant negative impact is
to their mental health (-26.9), followed by those reporting a negative change to their financial
security (-21.1), and those reporting a negative impact on their job/career (-17.1). Individuals
under the age of 40 are more than twice as likely to report the most significant negative
impact on mental health when compared to individuals over 60 years old.
As Canadians focus on managing through the pandemic, employment remains a critical
stabilizer. Finances and isolation continue to be the strongest drivers of mental health
and stable employment is central to offsetting the risk of poor mental health. Sixty per cent
of respondents have no change in their hours or salary, whereas seventeen per cent report
working fewer hours, and seven per cent report reduced pay/salary. Individuals reporting
reduced pay/salary during the pandemic have a mental health score nearly ten points below
the national average; those working fewer hours have a mental health score six points below
the average.
Previous findings (June 2020) indicate that less than one quarter (19 per cent) of
respondents are likely to return to their previous spending habits. Over six months later,
twenty-nine per cent of individuals report that they will go back to prior spending habits.
Among those who will not return to their prior spending habits, the most commonly reported
reasons are fear over infection risk (25 per cent) and worry about job/income security
(23 per cent).

The Mental Health Index™ — Canada | January 2021 3

 January 2021 report

The Mental Health Index™

The Mental Health Index™ (MHI) is a measure of deviation from the benchmark1 of mental
health and risk. The overall Mental Health Index™ for January 2021 is -12 points. A 12-point
decrease from the pre-COVID-19 benchmark reflects a population whose mental health
is similar to the most distressed one per cent of the benchmark population.

January marks the

Current month
January 2021: --12 December 2020: -12
tenth consecutive month
-10 where the Mental Health
-10.4 -10.2
Index™ reflects strained
-10.9 mental health in the
-11.1 Canadian population
-11

-11.5 -11.2
-11.7 -11.4 -11.7
-11.8

-12

-13
April May June July August Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. January
2020 2020 2021

1 The benchmark reflects data collected in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

The Mental Health Index™ — Canada | January 2021 4

 January 2021 report

Mental Health Index™ sub-scores

The lowest Mental Health Index™ sub-score is for the risk measure of depression (-13.4),
followed by anxiety (-13.1), isolation (-12.8), optimism (-12.5), work productivity (-11.6),
and general psychological health (-4.0). The risk measure with the best mental health score,
and the only measure above benchmark, is financial risk (3.2).

• Isolation, general psychological health, MHI January December

and anxiety scores declined from sub-scores2 2021 2020
December results.
Depression -13.4 -13.9
• With a 1.6-point increase, the optimism Anxiety -13.1 -13.0
score has had the greatest improvement
Isolation -12.8 -12.0
from the prior month.
Optimism -12.5 -14.1
• The financial risk score remains equal
Work productivity -11.6 -12.4
to December with a score of 3.2 points;
it continues to be the strongest of all Psychological health -4.0 -3.6
sub-scores and is above the pre-2020 Financial risk 3.2 3.2
benchmark.

2 The demographic breakdown of sub-scores are available upon request.

The Mental Health Index™ — Canada | January 2021 5

 January 2021 report

General psychological health General psychological health

0 Since April, general psychological health
-0.4
has declined. Despite two months of
-0.9
-1.2 -1.2 modest improvement in July and September
-1
within the ten-month period since the launch
-1.9 of the Index™, the psychological health
of Canadians continues to deteriorate.
-2
-2.5 In January, the psychological health risk
-2.4 score of Canadians is 3.6 points lower than
-3
-3.2 at the start of the Index™, in April 2020.
-3.6
-4.0
-4
April May June July August Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. January
2020 2020 2021

Isolation Isolation
-9 In January, the isolation sub-score is at
-9.7 its lowest point (-12.8) since the inception
of the Index™ in April 2020. Despite a sharp
-10
increase from August to September, rising
-10.6
2.4 points, the improvement did not persist
-11.0 -11.1 into the following month and the isolation
-11
-11.6 score has remained well-below the pre-
-11.9 -12.0 COVID benchmark since April 2020.
-11.5
-12
-12.1
-12.8
-13
April May June July August Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. January
2020 2020 2021

The Mental Health Index™ — Canada | January 2021 6

 January 2021 report

Financial Risk Financial risk

5 The Financial risk score improved 5.3 points
from its lowest score in April 2020 (-1.8)
4 3.5
3.1 3.2 3.2 to its highest point in August 2020 (3.5).
2.9 2.9
3 2.4 2.5 In September and October, the financial
risk score fell 1.0 point from its high
2 but regained 0.7 points from October
1.1
1
to December, nearing its August high.
In January, the financial risk score remains
0 stable at 3.2 points and has maintained
a score above the pre-2020 benchmark
-1
-1.8 since May 2020.
-2
April May June July August Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. January
2020 2020 2021

The Mental Health Index™ — Canada | January 2021 7

 January 2021 report

The Mental Health Index™ (regional)

Provincial mental health scores since April have shown general improvement until July;
however, several regions showed declines from July to August. In January, Manitoba,
The Maritimes, and Quebec reported modest increases in mental health, while declines are
observed in Newfoundland and Labrador, Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Ontario.
• Despite a 1.7-point decline from the prior month, the mental health score in Newfoundland
and Labrador remains strongest.
• The lowest mental health score in January is observed in Alberta (-14.7), a 0.8-point decline
from December.

Canada provincial Mental Health Index™ scores

-2

-4

-6

-8 Alberta

-10 British Columbia

Manitoba
-12
Newfoundland and Labrador
-14 Ontario

Quebec
-16
April May June July August Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. January Saskatchewan
2020 2020 2021
The Maritimes

Alberta British Columbia Manitoba Newfoundland and Labrador

Ontario Quebec Saskatchewan The Maritimes

The Mental Health Index™ — Canada | January 2021 8

 January 2021 report

Demographics
• For ten consecutive months, females (-13.8) have a significantly lower mental health score
than males (-9.6); we have also observed that mental health scores improve with age.
• The variance in the mental health score between those with and without children has
been observed since April, and results in January continue this trend with a lower score
for those with at least one child (-15.3) when compared to those without children (-10.6).

Employment
• Overall, five per cent of respondents are unemployed. While most individuals remain
employed, seventeen per cent report reduced hours or reduced salary since April 2020.
• Individuals reporting reduced salary when compared to the prior month (-26.0) have
the lowest mental health score, followed by those who report fewer hours when compared
to the prior month (-17.6), and those not currently employed (-13.1).
• Managers have lower mental health scores (-13.2) when compared to non-managers
(-10.7).
• Twenty-one per cent of respondents participate in the gig economy; the mental health
scores of individuals working part-time hours in the gig economy (-13.0) and those working
multiple part-time gigs (-13.0) are lower than individuals who do not participate in the gig
economy (-10.0).
• Self-employed/sole proprietors have the highest mental health score (-7.5), although
this score is down from the prior month (-6.1).
• Respondents who report working for companies with 51-100 employees have the
lowest mental health score (-15.7), followed by individuals working for companies
with 101-500 employees (-13.3).

Emergency savings
• Individuals without emergency savings continue to experience a lower score in mental
health (-25.6) than the overall group. Those reporting having an emergency fund have
a mental health score of -6.2.

The Mental Health Index™ — Canada | January 2021 9

 January 2021 report

Employment status Jan. 2021 Dec. 2020 Province Jan. 2021 Dec. 2020 Employer size Jan. 2021 Dec. 2020

Employed Alberta -14.7 -14.0 Self-employed/sole proprietor -7.5 -6.1

(no change in hours/salary) -9.8 -9.7 British Columbia -12.2 -11.5 2-50 employees -10.5 -11.7
Employed (fewer hours Manitoba -11.1 -14.4 51-100 employees -15.7 -15.4
compared to last month) -17.6 -17.5
Newfoundland and Labrador -4.9 -3.2 101-500 employees -13.3 -13.2
Employed (reduced salary
The Maritimes -9.9 -11.3 501-1,000 employees -12.2 -12.7
compared to last month) -26.0 -22.5
Quebec -10.9 -12.0 1,001-5,000 employees -11.1 -10.3
Not currently employed -13.1 -19.1
Ontario -11.6 -11.6
5,001-10,000 employees -11.3 -11.4
Age group Jan. 2021 Dec. 2020 Saskatchewan -11.9 -11.4
More than 10,000 employees -11.1 -11.9
Age 20-29 -21.5 -22.3
Gender Jan. 2021 Dec. 2020
Age 30-39 -17.0 -16.1 Manager Jan. 2021
Male -9.6 -10.0
Age 40-49 -12.2 -12.9 Manager -13.2
Female -13.8 -13.7
Age 50-59 -9.1 -9.2 Non-manager -10.7
Age 60-69 -4.8 -4.6 Income Jan. 2021 Dec. 2020
Gig economy Jan. 2021
Household income
Number of children Jan. 2021 Dec. 2020 <$30K/annum -21.7 -19.9 Not part of the gig economy -10.0
No children in household -10.6 -11.2 $30K to <$60K/annum -15.4 -15.9 Supplementing income
from steady job -20.2
1 child -15.3 -15.1 $60K to <$100K -12.3 -13.1
Full-time freelancer -14.3
2 children -12.6 -11.6 $100K to <$150K -9.3 -9.3
Part-time freelancer -13.2
3 children or more -12.9 -9.7 $150K or more -3.9 -4.3
Multiple part-time gigs -13.0

Numbers highlighted in orange are the most

negative scores in the group.
Numbers highlighted in green are the least
negative scores in the group.
Available upon request:
Specific cross-correlational and custom analyses

The Mental Health Index™ — Canada | January 2021 10

 January 2021 report

The Mental Health Index™ (industry)

For the eighth consecutive month, full-time students have the lowest mental health score (-26.7).
This continues to be significantly lower than the next lowest score, among individuals in Information
and Cultural Industries (-18.9), and Utilities (-15.3). The highest mental health scores this month are
observed among individuals employed in the Automotive Industry (-7.5), Management of Companies
and Enterprises (-8.1), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting (-8.2). Individuals employed
in the Management of Companies and Enterprises, the Automotive Industry, and Mining and Oil
and Gas Extraction have seen the greatest improvement in mental health since last month.
Improvements from the prior month are shown in the table below:
Industry January 2021 December 2020 Improvement
Management of Companies and Enterprises -8.1 -17.5 9.4
Automotive Industry -7.5 -13.1 5.5
Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction -10.0 -12.0 2.0
Accommodation and Food Services -14.1 -15.5 1.4
Finance and Insurance -13.6 -14.9 1.3
Arts, Entertainment and Recreation -12.0 -13.2 1.2
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting -8.2 -9.3 1.1
Health Care and Social Assistance -11.9 -12.8 0.9
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services -8.5 -9.3 0.8
Public Administration -9.5 -10 0.5
Educational Services -13.1 -13.0 -0.1
Manufacturing -11.1 -10.9 -0.2
Retail Trade -13.9 -13.6 -0.3
Transportation and Warehousing -10.6 -10.2 -0.3
Wholesale Trade -11.9 -11.5 -0.5
Other services (except Public Administration) -11.4 -10.4 -1.0
Utilities -15.3 -14.0 -1.3
Construction -10.7 -9.1 -1.6
Full-time student -26.7 -24.9 -1.8
Real Estate, Rental and Leasing -8.8 -6.9 -1.9
Information and Cultural Industries -18.9 -16.8 -2.1
Other -10.3 -7.6 -2.7

The Mental Health Index™ — Canada | January 2021 11

 January 2021 report

The Mental Stress Change score

The Mental Stress Change Score (MStressChg) is a measure of the level of reported mental
stress, compared to the prior month. The Mental Stress Change score for January 2021 is 60.1.
This reflects a net increase in mental stress compared to the prior month. The steepness of the
increase had been declining, month-over-month through September, then increased in October,
declined moderately in November, and increased in December. The score in January remains
unchanged from the prior month. The current score indicates that 25 per cent of the population
is experiencing more mental stress compared to the prior month, with 5 per cent experiencing
less. A continued increase in mental stress over the last ten months indicates a significant
accumulation of strain in the population.

Current month
January 2021: -60.1 December 2020: 60.2

100

90

80 74.7
68.3
70
60.4 57.2 57.7 57.1 60.7 58.5 60.2 60.1 More mental stress
60
50 = No change from prior month
50
Less mental stress
40

30

20

10

0
April May June July August Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. January
2020 2020 2021

The Mental Health Index™ — Canada | January 2021 12

 January 2021 report

Mental Stress Change (percentages)

Mental Stress Change tracks an individual’s stress changes each month. The percentages
of those experiencing more stress, the same level of stress, and less stress for each month
of the survey are shown in the graph below.
Over the last ten months, the percentage of those experiencing more mental stress than
the previous month has steadily decreased; however, the data shows that those experiencing
less mental stress are insufficient to lower the overall Mental Stress Change score to below 50
(the level at which stress is lower than the previous month). As the proportion of individuals
reporting the same level of stress or more stress than the previous month continues to
significantly outweigh the proportion reporting less mental stress, the population will continue
to feel the effects of significantly increased stress and will not be able to reach a more
sustainable and health level of stress.
In April, 54 per cent of individuals reported an increase in mental stress. While those reporting
increased month-over-month mental stress has decreased to 25 per cent in January 2021,
70 per cent of respondents report the same level of mental stress and only 5 per cent report
a decrease in mental stress.

Mental Stress Change by Month

100% 4% 6% 9% 10% 9% 8% 6% 6% 6% 5% Less mental stress

90% Same level of mental stress

80% More mental stress

42% 52%
70%
62% 66% 68% 71% 66% 72% 68% 70%
60%

50%

40%

30%
54% 42%
20%
29% 24% 24% 22% 28% 22% 26% 25%
10%

0%
April 2020 May June July August Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. 2020 January 2021

The Mental Health Index™ — Canada | January 2021 13

 January 2021 report

Demographics
• As was reported in prior months, and as evidenced again in January, younger respondents
are experiencing a greater increase in mental stress when compared to older respondents.
• Since April 2020, females have had larger increases in mental stress when compared
with males.

Geography
• Considering geography, the greatest increase in stress month-over-month was for
respondents living in Alberta (67.1), followed by Manitoba (61.9), Saskatchewan (60.7),
and British Columbia (60.5). Respondents living in the provinces where the increase
in mental stress was less, still had significant increases. They include Ontario (59.9),
followed by The Maritimes (58.7), Newfoundland and Labrador (56.4), and Quebec (56.1).

Employment
• The greatest increase in mental stress is seen in employed people with reduced salary
(69.9), followed by employed people with reduced hours (63.2) when compared to
unemployed people (59.9) and employed people with no change to salary or hours (59.1).
• The greatest increase in mental stress is observed among managers (62.2) while
non-managers have a more modest increase in mental stress (58.9).

The Mental Health Index™ — Canada | January 2021 14

 January 2021 report

Employment status Jan. 2021 Dec. 2020 Province Jan. 2021 Dec. 2020 Employer size Jan. 2021 Dec. 2020

Employed Alberta 67.1 64.3 Self-employed/sole proprietor 57.4 56.5

(no change in hours/salary) 59.1 59.3 British Columbia 60.5 60.0 2-50 employees 59.1 59.3
Employed (fewer hours Manitoba 61.9 63.8 51-100 employees 61.6 61.8
compared to last month) 63.2 62.7
Newfoundland and Labrador 56.4 51.6 101-500 employees 62.3 61.4
Employed (reduced salary
compared to last month) 69.9 68.2 The Maritimes 58.7 57.8 501-1,000 employees 61.4 62.5
Not currently employed 59.9 59.2 Quebec 56.1 56.0 1,001-5,000 employees 60.5 60.2
Ontario 59.9 60.0 5,001-10,000 employees 59.8 60.4
Age group Jan. 2021 Dec. 2020
Saskatchewan 60.7 64.3 More than 10,000 employees 59.4 59.7
Age 20-29 65.0 66.3
Age 30-39 63.5 61.1 Gender Jan. 2021 Dec. 2020 Manager Jan. 2021

Age 40-49 59.5 61.0 Male 58.2 58.7 Manager 62.2

Age 50-59 58.9 58.9 Female 62.1 61.7 Non-manager 58.9
Age 60-69 56.9 57.4
Gig economy Jan. 2021
Income Jan. 2021 Dec. 2020
Number of children Jan. 2021 Dec. 2020 Not part of the gig economy 59.2
Household income
No children in household 58.7 59.8 <$30K/annum 61.6 61.5 Supplementing income
from steady job 69.3
1 child 64.3 62.1 $30K to <$60K/annum 60.4 60.8
Full-time freelancer 54.4
2 children 62.0 60.2 $60K to <$100K 60.7 60.4
Part-time freelancer 58.6
3 children or more 62.3 54.8 $100K to <$150K 60.6 60.9
Multiple part-time gigs 63.5
$150K or more 57.4 57.8

Numbers highlighted in orange are the most

negative scores in the group.
Numbers highlighted in green are the least
negative scores in the group.
Available upon request:
Specific cross-correlational and custom analyses

The Mental Health Index™ — Canada | January 2021 15

 January 2021 report

The Mental Stress Change (industry)

Mental Stress Change scores for the Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting, Transportation
and Warehousing, and Automotive industries are less steep when compared to the prior month.
Full-time students have the most significant increase in mental stress (67.5), followed by
individuals employed in Information and Cultural Industries (65.2), and Wholesale Trade (63.7).
Mental Stress changes from the last two months are shown in the table below:
Industry January 2021 December 2020
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting 50.0 55.0
Transportation and Warehousing 53.5 58.2
Automotive Industry 56.1 63.7
Arts, Entertainment and Recreation 56.3 59.1
Real Estate, Rental and Leasing 56.8 59.3
Manufacturing 58.1 59.6
Retail Trade 58.9 63.7
Management of Companies and Enterprises 59.1 67.2
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services 59.6 59.6
Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction 59.7 54.5
Other services (except Public Administration) 60.0. 59.4
Other 60.5 56.3
Finance and Insurance 60.5 59.3
Construction 61.0 57.5
Health Care and Social Assistance 61.6 61.4
Public Administration 61.8 59.8
Educational Services 62.2 60.5
Utilities 62.5 59.0
Accommodation and Food Services 62.8 63.4
Wholesale Trade 63.7 59.9
Information and Cultural Industries 65.2 63.3
Full-time student 67.5 63.8

The Mental Health Index™ — Canada | January 2021 16

 January 2021 report

Spotlight Main emotion felt most often right now

Worry 23%
Emotional state Calm 21%
Previous findings in June and August 2020 indicate Frustration 19%
that the most commonly reported emotions that
Gratitude 9%
individuals were experiencing were worry, calm
Hopefulness 8%
and frustration. Nearly one year into the pandemic,
the most commonly reported emotions continue Other 6%
to be worry (23 per cent), calm (21 per cent), Helplessness 5%
and frustration (19 per cent) and their proportions
Happiness 4%
are largely the same as observed in prior months.
Anger 4%
• Consistent with the June and August findings,
Disbelief/Shock 3%
individuals reporting positive emotions
(gratitude, happiness, calm, and hopefulness)
have significantly higher mental health scores MHI score by the main emotion felt most often right now
when compared to individuals reporting negative
emotions (frustration, worry, disbelief/shock, Gratitude (9%) 3.6
anger, and helplessness). Happiness (4%) 2.4

• Individuals reporting fewer hours at work or Calm (21%) 1.0

reduced salary are nearly fifty per cent more Hopefulness (8%) -1.9
likely to report feeling frustration or worry when
Other (6%) -9.2
compared to those who are fully employed; those
who are fully employed are fifty per cent more Frustration (19%) -18.8

likely to report feeling calm when compared Worry (23%) -22.2

to individuals working fewer hours or with Disbelief/Shock (3%) -23.9
reduced salary.
Anger (4%) -27.0
• Females are fifty per cent more likely to report
Helplessness (5%) -32.9
worry as their primary emotion and fifty per cent
less likely to report calm when compared to males.

The Mental Health Index™ — Canada | January 2021 17

 January 2021 report

• Individuals without children are nearly twice as Longitudinal comparison of emotion type and MHI score
likely to report feeling gratitude when compared
to those with children. -11.7 January 2021
Overall -11.2 August 2020
-10.9
Changing priorities due to the COVID-19 June 2020

pandemic -22.3
Negative Emotion -20.5
As Canadians continue to manage their daily lives -19.9
in a time of global pandemic, thoughts of temporary
adjustments are moving to what the “new normal” 1.1
Positive Emotion 1.2
could look like. Many Canadians are rethinking their 2.0
priorities amid the ongoing impact of the pandemic
on work, finances, social relationships, physical and
mental health. Respondents were asked to select Areas individuals would like to focus on when compared to before the pandemic
three areas they would like to focus on when
Family 57%
compared to before the pandemic.
Physical health 50%
• The most commonly reported areas respondents
would like to focus on are family (57 per cent), Financial security 43%
physical health (50 per cent), financial security Having fun/enjoying life 42%
(43 per cent), and having fun/enjoying life
Mental health 33%
(42 per cent).
Friendships 30%
• One-third of individuals report wanting to focus
Job/Career 21%
on their mental health; this group has the lowest
mental health score (-21.4). Community involvement 5%

• Individuals between the ages of 20 and 29 are Other 1%

nearly twice as likely to report wanting to focus None of the above 5%
on their mental health when compared to those
over the age of 60.
• Younger individuals are significantly more likely
to want to focus on their job/career (39 per cent).
Relatedly, individuals without an emergency fund
are over fifty per cent more likely to report wanting
to focus on their job/career.

The Mental Health Index™ — Canada | January 2021 18

 January 2021 report

• Respondents over the age of 60 are nearly twice MHI by areas individuals would like to focus on when compared to before the pandemic
as likely to want to focus on their physical health
when compared to individuals between the ages Other (1%) -5.6

of 20 and 29. Having fun/enjoying life (42%) -8.0

Community involvement (5%) -9.0

Positive impact of the COVID-19 Family (57%) -9.3
pandemic
Physical health (50%) -10.2
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has
Friendships (30%) -10.7
touched Canadians in different ways – restricted
Financial security (43%) -14.4
social lives, the shift to virtual work, illness, or
death of loved ones, etc. At the same time, some Job/Career (21%) -15.9
Canadians are reporting inspired changes or unseen Mental health (33%) -21.4
benefits because of the pandemic. Respondents
None of the above (5%) -4.7
were asked to indicate the areas that have changed
positively because of the pandemic.
Areas that have changed positively due to the pandemic
• The most commonly reported area of positive
impact is personal relationships (16 per cent), No impact/no change 41%
followed by financial security (10 per cent),
Personal relationships 16%
and physical health (9 per cent).
Financial security 10%
• Respondents reporting a positive change in
their social lives have the highest mental health Physical health 9%
score (-5.6).
Job/Career 8%
• Individuals working in Healthcare and Social
Social life 7%
Assistance are over thirty per cent more likely
to report no positive impact when compared Mental health 6%
to all other industries. Other 2%
• Respondents between 20 and 29 years of age Education 1%
are two-and-a-half times more likely to report
some positive impact when compared to those
over the age of 60.

The Mental Health Index™ — Canada | January 2021 19

 January 2021 report

Negative impact of the COVID-19 Areas that have changed negatively due to the pandemic
pandemic Social life 24%
As expected, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
No impact/no change 20%
has been difficult on most Canadians. Respondents
were asked to indicate the area of their lives that has Mental health 15%

changed most negatively because of the pandemic. Financial security 13%

• The most commonly reported area of negative Personal relationships 10%
change is social life (24 per cent), followed
Physical health 8%
by mental health (15 per cent), and financial
security (13 per cent). Job/Career 8%

• The lowest mental health score is observed Other 1%

among individuals reporting that the most
Education 1%
significant negative impact is to their mental
health (-26.9), followed by those reporting
a negative change to their financial security MHI score by areas that have changed negatively due to the pandemic
(-21.1), and those reporting a negative impact
on their job/career (-17.1). No impact/no change (20%) 1.8

• Individuals under the age of 40 are more Other (1%) 1.3

than twice as likely to report the most significant
Social life (24%) -4.7
negative impact on mental health when
compared to individuals over 60 years old. Education (1%) -15.0

• Individuals working fewer hours or with reduced Personal relationships (10%) -15.0

pay/salary are over twice as likely to report that Physical health (8%) -16.0
the most significant negative change is financial
Job/Career (8%) -17.1
security when compared to those with no
change in employment. Financial security (13%) -21.1

Mental health (15%) -26.9

The Mental Health Index™ — Canada | January 2021 20

 January 2021 report

Employment during the pandemic Employment situation during the pandemic

As Canadians focus on managing through the Employed with no change

60%
in hours/salary
pandemic, employment remains a critical stabilizer.
Working fewer hours 17%
Finances and isolation continue to be the strongest
drivers of mental health and employment is Reduced pay/salary 7%
central to offsetting the risk of poor mental health. Not currently employed
4%
Respondents were asked about their employment due to the pandemic

situation during the pandemic. Other 3%

Lost job due to the pandemic,
• Sixty per cent of respondents have no change 2%
but working now
in their hours or salary, whereas seventeen Not currently employed not 2%
due to the pandemic
per cent report working fewer hours, and
On leave 1%
seven per cent report reduced pay/salary.
None of the above 5%
• Individuals reporting reduced pay/salary during
the pandemic have a mental health score nearly
ten points below the national average; those MHI score by employment situation during the pandemic
working fewer hours have a mental health score
six points below the average. Other (3%) -6.1

• Individuals working for employers with less Employed with no change

in hours/salary (60%) -7.7
than 1,000 employees or who are self-employed Lost job due to the pandemic,
-13.2
are twice as likely to report working fewer hours but working now (2%)
Not currently employed not
compared to before the pandemic. due to the pandemic (2%)
-15.4

• As reported in the January Financial Wellbeing Working fewer hours (17%) -18.0
Index results, individuals not currently employed Reduced pay/salary (7%) -21.4
due to the pandemic have the lowest financial
Not currently employed due
wellbeing score (-14.3), followed by those with -23.3
to the pandemic (4%)
reduced pay or salary (-13.2), and those with On leave (1%) -26.0
fewer working hours (-10.1).
None of the above (5%) -13.4

The Mental Health Index™ — Canada | January 2021 21

 January 2021 report

Spending habits Reasons individuals will not return to prior spending habits once stores
and businesses re-open
Previous findings (June 2020) indicate that less
than one quarter (19 per cent) of respondents are
I will go back to my prior spending habits 29%
likely to return to their previous spending habits.
Over six months later, twenty-nine per cent of Concern about infection risk while being
25%
individuals report that they will go back to prior in stores/service areas
spending habits.
Worry about job/income security 23%
• Among those who will not return to their prior
spending habits, the most commonly reported
Change in income 17%
reasons are fear over infection risk (25 per cent)
and worry about job/income security
Unsure 15%
(23 per cent).
• Respondents over the age of 40 are almost Lack of will or energy to do things
12%
that I did before
twice as likely to report that they will return
to their prior spending habits when compared
to those under 40 years old. Optimism score by reasons individuals will not return to prior spending habits
once stores and businesses re-open
• Individuals working for employers with under
1,000 employees are nearly twice as likely
to report not returning to previous spending I will go back to my prior spending habits (29%) -4.5

habits because their income had changed when

compared with those working for employers Unsure (15%) -11.5

with more than 1,000 employees.

Concern about infection risk while being
-14.6
• Respondents reporting a lack of will or energy in stores/service areas (25%)
to do things they did prior to the pandemic have
Worry about job/income security (23%) -19.1
the lowest optimism score (-23.1), followed by
those worried about job/income security (20.0),
Change in income (17%) -20.0
and those with a change in income (-19.1).
Lack of will or energy to do things
-23.1
that I did before (12%)

The Mental Health Index™ — Canada | January 2021 22

 January 2021 report

Overview of the Mental Health Index™

The mental health and wellbeing of a population is essential to overall health and work
productivity. The Mental Health Index™ provides a measure of the current mental health status
of employed adults in a given geography, compared to the benchmarks collected in the years of
2017, 2018 and 2019. The increases and decreases in the Index are intended to predict cost and
productivity risks, and inform the need for investment in mental health supports by business
and government.
The Mental Health Index™ report has three main parts:
1. The overall Mental Health Index™ (MHI), which is a measure of change compared to
the benchmark of mental health and risk.
2. A Mental Stress Change (MStressChg) score, which measures the level of reported
mental stress, compared to the prior month.
3. A spotlight section that reflects the specific impact of current issues in the community.

Methodology
The data for this report was collected through an online survey of 3,000 Canadians who are
living in Canada and are currently employed or who were employed within the prior six months.
Participants were selected to be representative of the age, gender, industry, and geographic
distribution in Canada. The same respondents participate each month to remove sampling bias.
The respondents were asked to consider the prior two weeks when answering each question.
The Mental Health Index™ is published monthly, starting in April 2020. The benchmark data
was collected in 2017, 2018 and 2019. The data for the current report was collected between
December 14 to December 23, 2020.

Calculations
To create the Mental Health Index™, the first step leverages a response scoring system turning
individual responses to each question into a point value. Higher point values are associated
with better mental health and less mental health risk. Each individual’s scores are added and
then divided by the total number of possible points to get a score out of 100. The raw score
is the mathematical mean of the individual scores.

The Mental Health Index™ — Canada | January 2021 23

 January 2021 report

To demonstrate change, the current month’s scores are then compared to the benchmark
and the prior month. The benchmark is comprised of data from 2017, 2018 and 2019. This
was a period of relative social stability and steady economic growth. The change relative
to the benchmark is the Mental Health Index™. A score of zero in the Mental Health Index™
reflects no change, positive scores reflect improvement, and negative scores reflect decline.
A Mental Stress Change score is also reported given that increasing and prolonged mental
stress is a potential contributor to changes in mental health. It is reported separately and
is not part of the calculation of the Mental Health Index™. The Mental Stress Change score
is (percentage reporting less mental stress + percentage reporting the same level of mental
stress *0.5) * -1 + 100. The data compares the current to the prior month. A Mental Stress
Change score of 50 reflects no change in mental stress from the prior month. Scores above
50 reflect an increase in mental stress, scores below 50 reflect a decrease in mental stress.
The range is from zero to 100. A succession of scores over 50, month over month, reflects
high risk.

Additional data and analyses

Demographic breakdown of sub-scores, and specific cross-correlational and custom analyses
are available upon request. Benchmarking against the national results or any sub-group,
is available upon request. Contact MHI@morneaushepell.com

The Mental Health Index™ — Canada | January 2021 24

Morneau Shepell is a leading provider of technology-enabled HR services that deliver
an integrated approach to employee wellbeing through our cloud-based platform. Our
focus is providing world-class solutions to our clients to support the mental, physical,
social and financial wellbeing of their people. By improving lives, we improve business.
Our approach spans services in employee and family assistance, health and wellness,
recognition, pension and benefits administration, retirement consulting, actuarial and
investment services. Morneau Shepell employs approximately 6,000 employees who
work with some 24,000 client organizations that use our services in 162 countries.
Morneau Shepell inc. is a publicly traded company on the Toronto Stock Exchange
(TSX: MSI). For more information, visit morneaushepell.com.

@Morneau_Shepell
Morneau Shepell

©2021 Morneau Shepell Ltd. | NMHI-CAN_012021