A new national survey by Women’s Shelter’s Canada shed a light on the experienced women fleeing violence during the pandemic.
The survey recorded 52% of 266 shelters reported seeing visitors that experienced either somewhat or much more violence.
“Our calls have gone up about 25%, and although we’re not seeing a direct result of calls under the abuse and violence topic, we are seeing relationship conflict,” explained Sandra Boulianne, Executive Director for the Crisis Centre for Northern B.C
The Centre hasn’t had a dramatic increase in violence-related calls, however, they’ve received more ‘secondary abuse’ calls, which ranges from suffering mental health to suicidal thoughts.
“People are generally struggling with coping, so if somebody already has anxiety, that anxiety is heightened because of the pandemic,” she added.
The survey reported increasing public health measures, as well as job and financial insecurity, is fueling tension in many households nation-wide.
She explained that often when they receive calls about declining mental health or suicide, the caller doesn’t even necessarily want to die, they’re just overwhelmed from all of the stress the pandemic has placed on them.
“It could be from anywhere from struggling with loneliness and social isolation to being irritable and short-tempered with our loved ones,” Boulianne noted.
However, the Centre has been receiving increasing amounts of first-time callers, which Boulianne says is a good thing because that indicates more people are comfortable reaching out for help.
“We all have mental health just like we all have physical health and we all need to take care of our mental health just like we take care of our physical health,” she explained warmly.
To contact the Crisis Centre for Northern BC, click here.
For a list of mental health resources in Prince George, click here and for local mental health resources catered to youth, click here.