A Whitehorse pharmacist says anxiety levels have been palpably high amongst Yukoners during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It was noticeable; you could feel the stress in all the customers,” Joanne Gibson said in an interview Tuesday.

Gibson owns the Shoppers Drug Mart in the Qwanlin Mall.

A national Shoppers Drug Mart survey found that two in three Canadians are experiencing higher anxiety, while 10 per cent have been experiencing anxiety at severe levels in the last few months.

Early in the pandemic, Gibson said she could tell stress levels were high based on the number of people panic-buying certain products and requesting early refills of prescriptions.

“It seemed everyone wanted to have their prescriptions on hand; they didn’t know if there was going to be a lockdown, there was uncertainty about medication supplies,” Gibson said.

There has been an increase in the number of prescriptions filled for anxiety medications and inhalers, she said.

Gibson said she often reassures customers that there isn’t a medication shortage. The pharmacy initially restricted prescription refills to a 30-day supply to mitigate the effect of panic-buying on the supply chain.

There are also some products that saw scarcities before the pandemic, she explained.

“We’re being very cautious of things that are in short supply,” Gibson said.

The pharmacy has now returned to a 90-day supply limit for most medications.

Even as pandemic restrictions are relaxed, Gibson said, the transition out of lockdown seems to be anxiety-inducing for Yukoners.

“I think change is always stressful, and learning to deal with what everybody calls the ‘new normal’ can be stressful,” Gibson said.

“Some people are still feeling anxiety that the restrictions are being lifted.”

Gibson has told clients that just because those restrictions are lifted, doesn’t mean there’s an increased risk of a virus outbreak.

“Dr. (Brendan) Hanley said the risk of mental health problems outweigh the risk of COVID right now,” said Gibson, referring to the territory’s chief medical health officer.

“(We) are just trying to reassure people that all those measures put in place now are going to help in the future.”

Gibson believes that people may be experiencing heightened mental health problems because the usual sources of stress relief – such as social, religious and peer-support gatherings – haven’t been available.

“It’s understandable, and just being aware those people need a different type of help than they’re used to,” Gibson said.

She has recommended some mental health resources in Whitehorse, as well as the pharmacy’s online stress management program. 

“There’s guided meditations, ways to work through stress and anxiety, giving people tools to deal with their stress,” Gibson said.

The safety precautions in the store have also taken some adjustment for Gibson and pharmacy staff.

“It’s been different,” Gibson said.

“Speaking to customers through the plexiglass is not what we’re used to, but we’re getting used to it, and everyone is aware that it’s a necessity.”

She said Yukoners have generally been patient and compliant with the safety measures, such as physical distancing, in place in the store.