WINNIPEG Nearly a year into the COVID-19 pandemic and Manitobans are also experiencing an epidemic of loneliness say mental health professionals. “One of the major issues is isolation,” said Stephen Sutherland, program director for the Manitoba branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association, on Friday. “It’s one of the major stressors that people are facing, not being able to connect with people,” said Sutherland, adding that meaningful social connections are crucial to maintaining good mental health. Technology can help bridge the gap but virtual connections are rarely a substitute for the real thing. “In the beginning of the pandemic we had a great virtual engagement and we’ve seen that slowly decline as people are just tired of being in front of a screen,” said Sutherland.