quebecers are anxious, but not reaching out for help

despite the anxiety and uncertainty quebecers are experiencing, the number seeking mental-health services during the covid-19 pandemic is, paradoxically, down.one factor in the decrease is the fact that with so many sheltering in place, often in close quarters with partners and children, there is little opportunity for the privacy and quiet needed for a session with a mental-health professional, said dr. christine grou, president of the ordre des psychologues du québec.another concern, she said, is financial: some quebecers have lost their jobs and, if they had insurance paying for their treatment, that is gone as well.

following the legault government lockdown in march, most psychologists in private practice pivoted to working online via zoom, the web-based videoconferencing tool, or by phone, grou said; the order provided training.“studies have shown tele-consultation can be very effective with certain problems, like anxiety,” she said.she said her order has proposed that certain of its members’ services, such as the treatment of health professionals and those grieving the loss of loved ones to covid-19, be underwritten by quebec. “we are waiting to hear whether the government will finance these services.”if mental health is not supported, consequences including workplace absenteeism, will be far-reaching “and last much longer than the pandemic,” grou said.calls to the argyle institute, which has been providing mental health services to the community for nearly 40 years, have decreased by 60 to 70 per cent since the start of the pandemic. this “speaks to the fact that people are in survival mode,” said psychotherapist moira luce, the organization’s immediate past-president.to help, the argyle has initiated the rescue line project; it offers up to three free tele-psychology sessions, using phone or video, to those experiencing emotional and psychological difficulties related to covid-19. call 514-931-5629, ext. 1, or 
e-mail covid19support@argyleinstitute.org.as a therapist, “i have been processing this with a lot of people through the lens of loss and grief,” luce said.“we have lost autonomy, productivity, structure. we have lost our sense of community — and that ultimately is what feeds the anxiety people are feeling.”to clinical psychologist dr. mara riff, director and co-founder of openspaceclinic, a wellness centre in westmount, “it is unclear if people are just hunkering down and not realizing the impact of all this on their mental health, if they are worried that they can’t afford treatment, or uncertain about whether tele-health therapy is effective.”for many, the idea of meeting a therapist for the first time through a video-conferencing or phone session “seems strange,” she said.still, riff says prior clients are re-engaging with their therapists at the clinic, although not necessarily for covid-related anxiety, and new referrals are saying that having free time is an opportunity to initiate therapy for anxiety or other issues.march and early april were quiet for many in the therapist community, said psychotherapist vikki stark, director of the sedona counselling centre, “but now things are starting to pick up.“although people were terribly anxious, they were in survival mode,” she said. “now we know how to go to the grocery store, and it’s becoming habitual. what was extraordinary becomes ordinary.”this week the sedona centre is offering a series of online talks and discussion groups, with topics including love under lockdown: protecting your relationship in this time of uncertainty and managing anxiety brought on by covid-19. the talks, hosted by zoom, are free but registration is required (centresedona.com/covid).a montreal-based free active listening service staffed by trained volunteers, vent over tea, has transitioned during the pandemic from face-to-face encounters in independent coffee shops to skype and telephone conversations. sign-up is online at ventovertea.com.“as many people are prone to loneliness, depression and anxiety at this time, having an empathetic, non-judgmental person to talk to would be a helpful resource for some,” said rachelle doucet, director of training and workshops for the service.“i feel it serves that in-between kind of person who needs to talk to someone but doesn’t feel they need professional help.”sschwartz@postmedia.com