Habits, stress and seasonal shifts: what do these looks like post-pandemic?
The idea of prioritizing mental health is a relatively recent shift. Despite being a common denominator of life, the stigmatization of mental illness was rampant only years prior. The conversation on mental health really began with the grand scale of isolation during the pandemic of 2020, when mental illness was at an all-time high around the world. Through the internet, people were able to connect with one and other, sharing their thoughts and feelings in a way never seen before. Now, as we enter a post-pandemic era, is mental health still receiving the necessary attention from the public?
“Although mental health is affected by heredity and by events and circumstances, it is also shaped by personal choices,” said Dr. Anne Wilson, psychology professor at Wilfrid Laurier University (WLU).
She explains that happiness can be built through small, tangible behaviours such as socializing, helping others, exercising, eating healthy, spending time in nature, pursuing hobbies, and spiritual or religious practice. Yet, as Dr. Wilson notes, “people who believe that well-being isn’t controllable tend not to value that daily well-being support.”
As of 2025, many Canadians have described feelings of stress surrounding the recent spikes in economic and geopolitical issues. 44% of Canadians report that the cost of living is negatively impacting their mental health. 42% of people are now reporting the economic turndown having struggles with mental health, with 39% worrying over how to pay their bills.
Nearly 50% of Canadians have reported increased levels of anxiety in the past month, with the highest concerns being among lower-class households and female demographics.
Almost 40% of Canadians are citing political unpredictability and rising tensions between Canada and the United States of America to be the main source of their heightened anxiety, with 52% attributing it to the cost of living.
Despite this, 76% of Canadians report feeling a strong sense of belonging in Canada. With the inflated economy, and the rising cost of living, it can be difficult to find the finances when outsourcing therapists or other resources.
The mental health of students is a high priority for WLU. The Student Wellness Centre, located on campus, is a great resource for students to use for many kinds of support.
Through the centre’s website, students are offered a variety of wellness support programs from a diverse team of professionals. There are doctors and registered nurses available by appointment, off-campus referrals, sexual health appointments, counsellors for mental health counselling, registered dieticians; not to mention chiropractic services, massages and physiotherapy.
The Laurier Wellness Centre is a great start to a student’s journey to recovery, and real change. There are also team members who specialize in support for specific groups of people; first-year students living on Waterloo campus, as well as Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) students who wish to work with a counsellor of similar identity.
Students are urged to take care of themselves as October begins, with self-reported anxiety and depression levels typically higher outside the months of summer. Seasonal Affective Disorder, a common disorder, is usually the cause of this. Known also as seasonal depression, this disorder is thought to occur with the lack of necessary sunlight during the fall to winter seasons, which can disrupt the circadian rhythm and lead to a drop in serotonin. As of 2020, approximately 15% of Canadians are affected by seasonal depression, making up 10% of all reported cases of depression.
As the school year progresses, it is important to remember to prioritize your mental health. Taking time to care for yourself will ultimately lead to success.
“In my experience [and in practice], there’s been a shift towards recognizing and normalizing the mental health challenges that students navigate and talking openly about concerns like stress, anxiety, depression, or burnout. This may help reduce stigma and make people feel less alone when they face these difficulties. Faculties are equipped with resources that take students’ well-being into consideration when it comes to teaching,” said Dr. Wilson.
Contributed Photo/ Birnavan Varnacumaaran/Managing Editor
