Mental health the ‘primary reason’ Canadians take time off work, report finds

A new report, commissioned by the Future Skills Centre (FSC), revealed that more than one-third of Canadians have taken time off work in the last five years due to mental health issues.

Researchers surveyed 506 individuals, which included employed and self-employed workers as well as business owners across the country. Most of the respondents had access to some form of benefits or insurance.

Our latest #QualityOfWork report explores how pandemic-related stressors significantly affected the mental health and well-being of Canadian workers.

Dive into the report to explore why diverse and inclusive #benefits are critical for workers in Canada https://t.co/7t5yfQIYMG

— Future Skills Centre (@fsc_ccf_en) June 16, 2023

While 38 per cent stated that they took time off work in the last five years for mental health reasons, including depression and anxiety, nearly half of those respondents didn’t resume their job duties for at least one month.

When asked what was negatively affecting their mental health, 80 per cent cited the demands of their job as well as their work environment.

The report also found that benefits currently offered to Canadians are “too restrictive” to effectively support workers struggling with mental health issues.

Instead of using the resources covered by their benefits, such as counselling or prescribed medications, 46 per cent of respondents turned to alternative “mindfulness therapies.”

“This indicates a major need for greater flexibility in mental health benefits and coverage for diverse types of care to better support workers to improve mental health,” the report reads.

What needs to be done?

To improve the mental health of Canada’s workforce, researchers are urging government officials, employers, and benefit providers to consider the following recommendations:

• Mental health should be immediately prioritized and supported with robust benefits
• Employers should take an active role in creating workplaces that are conducive to positive mental and physical health
• Time off for care and sick days should be available to all workers
• Benefits should integrate preventative, recovery, and diverse care
• New types of mental health care should be incorporated into benefits, especially for hard to treat conditions
• Benefits should be made more inclusive to provide diverse care for all workers

The report reiterated the dangers of forcing employees to continue working while they aren’t well — noting that it could result in a significant uptick in long-term disability (LTD) claims.

SEE ALSO
• Brain inflammation ‘hanging around’ in long COVID patients, study finds
• More Ontarians seeking mental health treatment since COVID start: CAMH
• Canadian researchers using blood to diagnose long COVID

Long-term disability claims for mental health issues

In Canada, most insurance policies will pay LTD benefits if you can prove that your disability prevents you from working. This includes individuals in Ontario, Alberta, and B.C. who have coverage.

What is critical for all disability claims, whether physical, emotional, psychological, cognitive, or a combination, is having your treating doctor or medical professional indicate in writing that you can’t work due to your condition.

WATCH: Disability lawyers Sivan Tumarkin and James Fireman break down what you need to know about mental illnesses and LTD on an episode of the Disability Law Show.

If mental health issues are affecting your ability to work, and you have full support from your treating doctor or another medical professional, then you are entitled to claim for and receive LTD benefits for as long as you remain disabled.

LEARN MORE 
• Invisible illness and long-term disability claims
• Disability Law Show: Getting LTD payments if you suffer from mental health issues
• List of Canadian long-term disability insurance companies

Do I need to see a specialist?

Most insurance policies don’t explicitly require you to see a specialist, such as a psychiatrist or a psychologist, in order to qualify for LTD benefits.

However, support from a specialist will strengthen your application and increase the likelihood of your claim being approved.

If your physician does refer you to a specialist, make sure you attend the appointment. This will prevent your insurer from being able to claim that you aren’t receiving proper treatment for your condition.

SEE ALSO
• Disability Law Show: 3 important ways your doctor can help your LTD claim
• Disability Law Show: 3 common mistakes made when dealing with LTD insurers
• Disability Law Show: LTD insurance tactics to look out for

Long-term disability claim denied? Don’t appeal

If your LTD claim for mental health issues is rejected by your insurance provider, you will likely receive a letter inviting you to appeal the decision.

While it might seem like a good idea to do so, in almost all cases, the appeals process will be handled by the same insurer that denied your claim.

Insurance companies make money by not paying claims. They often use the appeals process (sometimes leading claimants to request multiple appeals) to run out the clock on your ability to file a claim against them to get the money you are owed.

If your LTD claim is denied, cut off, or comes under “investigation”, contact Samfiru Tumarkin LLP immediately.

LEARN MORE
• Denied LTD due to your insurer’s medical consultant: Next steps
• Disability Law Show: 3 myths about ‘Total Disability’ in LTD claims

Insurer rejected your claim? Speak with a disability lawyer

If mental health issues are affecting your ability to work, and your insurance provider turned down your LTD claim, contact an experienced disability lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP.

Our compassionate team regularly resolves LTD, life insurance, critical illness and mortgage insurance claim denials across Canada (except Quebec).

We provide free consultations and don’t get paid unless we secure the compensation that you are legally entitled to.