Structural vulnerability and mental health of visible minority non-health essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Calgary, Canada

Non-health essential workers (NHEWs), including those in food processing, grocery retail, and transportation, faced high occupational exposure during the COVID-19 pandemic with fewer protections than healthcare workers. In Canada, visible minorities are disproportionately represented in these sectors. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and determinants of stress, anxiety, and depression among VM-NHEWs in Calgary, Canada. Data were derived from a broader community-engaged survey of essential workers in Calgary. The analysis was restricted to 446 VM-NHEWs to specifically examine the experiences of this distinct workforce. Participants completed a survey including the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7). Multivariable logistic regression models were employed to identify associations between sociodemographic factors, employment conditions, and mental health outcomes. Moderate-to-high stress affected 85.6% of participants, while 37.6% and 31.1% screened positive for moderate-to-severe depression and anxiety, respectively. Female sex and employment disruption were independently associated with higher odds of depression, while living in multi-person households was strongly protective against both anxiety and depression. VM-NHEWs experienced substantial mental health burden during the pandemic, driven by intersecting structural vulnerabilities. Addressing employment precarity and delivering culturally safe mental health supports are critical for future pandemic preparedness.