Mental health-related calls remain up for both the Steinbach RCMP and the Ste. Anne Police Department.
Since COVID-19 first hit the province, RCMP Sergeant Joanne Ryll says, there has been a notable increase in mental health-type incidents. Between March and July, she says her department has received 129 such calls, which is up 44 over the previous year during the same period. Ryll is hesitant to draw a direct correlation between the increase and the pandemic and the data but admits it is possible.
Ste. Anne Police Chief Marc Robichaud, meanwhile, is more certain of the connection between the two.
“I think there are some people who are more susceptible to having COVID-19 and isolation affect them in a negative way, mentally.”