---
title: New Study Shows COVID Impact on Isolation and Loneliness
description: The associated need for physical distancing and other monumental behavioural shifts have taken a toll on Canadians’ mental health.
---

[The Latest ](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest)

# [New Study Shows COVID Impact on Isolation and Loneliness](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/new-study-shows-covid-impact-on-isolation-and-loneliness)

 Written by [Alison Homer](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/author/alison-homer) | November 2, 2020

As we have all pivoted and learned to live in a COVID-19 era, the associated need for physical distancing and other monumental behavioural shifts have taken a toll on Canadians’ mental health.

As we attend fewer events, frequent community spaces less often, and struggle to maintain meaningful connections with families and friends, a new study from the Angus Reid Institute highlights some of the impacts that this large-scale social distancing has had.

The study found that compared to last year, only one-in-three, compared to one-in-two Canadians in 2019, report having a good social life. Only 53%, compared to 67% said their mental health was good or very good, and one-in-five report that their mental health is either poor or very poor. The percentage that suffers from both loneliness and social isolation has increased from one-in-four to one-in-three, and the percentage suffering from neither has declined sharply from 22% to 12%.

Key findings from the study include:

- Canadians relationships with their family members have remained a source of comfort and have remained largely positive.
- The number of residents over 54 years of age who say they would rather see more of people has nearly doubled, from 18% last year to 33% this year.
- Older Canadians tend to be enduring the pandemic best, with many using technology to stay connected. Use of video calling apps among this group has increased from 36% to 55%.
- In contrast, just 47% of Canadians reported that using Zoom, FaceTime and other video calling apps makes them feel more connected to friends and family.

**Take Your Learning Further:**

- [Read the full report at AngusReid.org](http://angusreid.org/isolation-and-loneliness-covid19/)
- [Listen to Tamarack’s Loneliness and Social Isolation Podcast Series](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/cdc-podcast?utm_campaign=Podcast&utm_content=137119927&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&hss_channel=tw-245807862&hsLang=en-us#Poverty)
- Download [A Portrait of Social Isolation and Loneliness in Canada Today](http://angusreid.org/social-isolation-loneliness-canada/)
- Read [Survey Says: Canadians are Lonely and Socially Isolated](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/survey-says-canadians-are-lonely-and-socially-isolated?hsLang=en-us)
- Watch [Ending Loneliness and Social Isolation: A Public Health Perspective](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/library/endling-loneliness-and-social-isolation?hsLang=en-us)

[View full post](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/new-study-shows-covid-impact-on-isolation-and-loneliness)

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