Substance Use and Mental Health among Canadian Social Workers

Abstract

This article reports the findings of an online survey designed to collect information about substance use (licit, illicit, or pharmaceutical) and mental health (depression or anxiety) among social workers. Among the 489 participants, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) screenings indicated symptoms of depression and anxiety at a higher prevalence than those of the general Canadian population. There were relatively few correlations between mental health scores and substance use. PHQ-9 total score significantly predicted past-year antidepressant use and past-year sleeping medication use. GAD-7 total score significantly predicted past-year benzodiazepine use and past-year melatonin use. Effects of substances (e.g., cannabis, alcohol, benzodiazepines, cocaine, ecstasy) were predominantly beneficial or nonproblematic (e.g., enjoyment/pleasure; socializing enhanced; concentration/focus improved). Subjective experiences of social workers should be sought to understand potential relationships between mental health scores and enhancement effects of substance use. Substances are being used, at least in part, for their performance-enhancing effects to meet the expectations of day-to-day life. Interventions can shift toward root causes, with institutions held more accountable for supporting social workers and promoting “workplace care.”