Survey on COVID-19 and Mental Health (SCMH)

Detailed information for February to June 2023

The purpose of the Survey on COVID-19 and Mental Health is to collect data to assess the impacts of COVID-19 on the mental health and well-being of Canadians. Given that the pandemic has significantly altered our daily lives, it is necessary to gather information on its effects on mental health and coping skills.

Data release - Scheduled for December 2023

• Questionnaire(s) and reporting guide(s)
• Description
• Data sources and methodology
• Data accuracy

Description

Topics include behaviours and symptoms associated with depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suicide risk, pressure on parents, substance use, household and intimate partner violence, as well as general mental health.

The data will be used by the Public Health Agency of Canada and may be used by other government organizations to inform the delivery of services and support to Canadians, during and after the pandemic.

Collection period: February to May

Subjects

• Crime and justice
• Family violence
• Health
• Lifestyle and social conditions
• Mental health and well-being

Data sources and methodology

Target population

The target population for the survey is non-institutionalized persons 18 years of age or older, living in Canada's ten provinces, who are not members of collectives or living on reserves.

Instrument design

The content for the Survey on COVID-19 and Mental Health electronic questionnaire was drafted in consultation with Statistics Canada's Centre for Population Health Data, as well as the Public Health Agency of Canada.

The questionnaire underwent cognitive testing in the form of in-depth interviews in both of Canada's official languages, conducted by Statistics Canada's Questionnaire Design Resource Centre. The goal of the qualitative study was to test the survey content.

Sampling

This is a sample survey with a cross-sectional design.

Sampling unit
The SCMH sample has a two-stage design: the sampling unit for the first stage is the dwelling, and the sampling unit for the second stage is the person.

Stratification method
The SCMH frame was stratified by province, and a simple random sample of dwellings was selected within each province.

Sampling and sub-sampling
Sufficient sample was allocated to each of the provinces so that the survey could produce provincial level estimates. An initial sample of 36,000 dwellings was selected and sent to collection.

Data sources

Data collection for this reference period: 2023-02-23 to 2023-05-31

Responding to this survey is voluntary.

Data are collected directly from survey respondents.

Data are collected directly from survey respondents either through an electronic questionnaire (EQ) or through CATI (computer assisted telephone interviewing).

View the Questionnaire(s) and reporting guide(s) .

Error detection

The metadata will be provided upon release.

Imputation

This methodology type does not apply to this statistical program.

Estimation

The metadata will be provided upon release.

Quality evaluation

The metadata will be provided upon release.

Disclosure control

Statistics Canada is prohibited by law from releasing any information it collects that could identify any person, business, or organization, unless consent has been given by the respondent or as permitted by the Statistics Act. Various confidentiality rules are applied to all data that are released or published to prevent the publication or disclosure of any information deemed confidential. If necessary, data are suppressed to prevent direct or residual disclosure of identifiable data.

Revisions and seasonal adjustment

This methodology type does not apply to this survey.

Data accuracy

The metadata will be provided upon release.