Mental Health, Workplace Stress & Long Term Disability

Stress has various impacts on the body and is accountable for 60-80% of doctor visits in Canada.The most common reasons for stress in the workplace include:

  • Coping with mental illness
  • Coping with chronic pain management, which can lead to mental illness
  • Coping with a poisoned work environment which induces stress and can lead to issues with mental illness such as anxiety, depression, and addiction.
    According to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, mental illness is the leading cause of disability in Canada. The most common forms of mental illness are:

  • Anxiety & Panic disorder

  • Phobias
  • PTSD
  • Depression
  • Addiction
  • Mood disorders (ex.Bipolar/Manic Depressive Disorder)
  • Psychosis (ex. Schizophrenia)
  • Eating Disorders
  • Personality Disorders (OCD, Multiple Personality Disorder etc.)
    Director of Mental Health Works, Mary Ann Baynton, says that the minute a mental illness affects someone’s ability to work, defining the illness as a disability is pivotal to ensuring that one receives all proper accommodations. Mental Health Works is a project run by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CAMH) and helps employees and employers to understand the issues surrounding mental health in the workplace, as well as all parties’ rights and responsibilities under the law.

Those suffering from mental health conditions can seek disability insurance for their illness, which acts as a safety net for when mental health conditions become is too debilitating. Long Term Disability usually is granted after a waiting period up to 90-days; most often subject to conditions depending on the individual’s employment background, current employment holding, and opportunities for future employment.
There has been a noted trend that insurance companies often grant Short Term Disability for reasons of mental illness, rather than Long-Term Disability. The challenge most suffering with mental illness deal with is that their condition is something that cannot be indicated physically (in most cases) and insurance companies occasionally trivialize the severity and legitimacy of the claimant’s mental condition, “it is invisible”.
The biggest challenge to face is when an insurance company perceives a mental illness as being merely mild, self-inflicted, or/and an illegitimate condition. This reluctance/refusal to accept a claim for benefits is based on several things:

  • The provided/lack of documentation used to support a disability claim
  • The lack of one’s own management of health (ex. seeking treatment, taking the proper medication when needed, etc.)
  • If an insurance company has had their own medical professionals review your records and provide a thoroughly scrutinized opinion of your case.
  • Surveillance of your social media activity and how this depicts your mental health status; building a case of evidence to deny long term disability.

This does not mean they are right.
You are not alone.
TSF Law understands the pushback received from filing a claim for long-term disability and that the management of mental illness is unassuming. We are hear to ensure that those struggling with mental illness are properly supported, without the fear of stigma or discrimination.
If a mental illness is impairing you or a loved one’s ability to complete their duties at work and/or hold a stable job, are struggling to manage their household and personal hygiene, you may have grounds for applying for Long Term Disability. Contact us today for a free consultation, it is important to TSF Law that you and/or your loved ones receive the proper compensation and support during times of mental health management and recovery.
Contact us today for a free consultation; it is important to TSF Law that you and/or your loved ones receive the proper compensation and support during times of mental health management and recovery.