The contexts and consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic have revealed several important issues that require responses to address emerging and unaddressed mental health needs. The experiences, circumstances, and contexts of loneliness have often been inadequately prioritized within mental health resources and service provision. During the COVID-19 pandemic, matters related to loneliness, grief, loss, and bereavement have been exacerbated by restrictions to how, when, where and why we are able to socially connect, care and support others. These issues are not only impacting people in the present but will have lasting effects on people’s mental health and wellness in the future.

This collaborative project between Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario, Dr. Ameil Joseph and doctoral student Shaila Kumhare, seeks to draw on current research on loneliness, grief, loss, and bereavement to develop capacity for addressing these mental health needs as well as to highlight core issues, cultivate evidence-based resources and articulate recommendations to policy makers, healthcare providers, and community service providers.   This research will also draw attention to populations most at risk or in need such as newcomers, aging people, new mothers, etc. This research initiative will engage in critical analysis of how these social and mental health issues are experienced in inequitable ways.