Mental Health and Psychological Disorders and Long-Term Disability Benefits in Canada

Thoughts and emotions form the backbone of our experience of life. A person’s mental health is influenced by a vast array of factors, from their physical state to the social structures that surround them. Disorders involving mental health usually involve disturbances in a person’s patterns of thinking, emotional regulation, and/or behaviour.

Psychological disorders may arise as a result of genetic factors, or they may be brought on by traumatic events. They may result from “invisible” causes such as workplace stress, or measurable changes in a person’s physical health. Often, a combination of several conditions contribute to the maintenance or deterioration of a person’s mental health.

About one in eight people worldwide live with some form of mental illness. There are many different kinds of mental illness, with symptoms ranging from mild to life-threatening. A robust array of treatment options exist for many mental illnesses, and with adequate time and care, it may be possible for an individual with a psychological disorder to resume full enjoyment of their life.

Just like any major physical condition, mental health disorders can have profound effects on a person’s ability to perform day-to-day tasks, including being able to sustain work. If you or someone you love have been impacted by a mental health or psychological disorder, there may be financial support available through long-term disability benefits.

Whether you would like to know more about long-term disability benefits, or if you have been denied support by an insurance company, contact our team of long-term disability lawyers today to schedule a free initial consultation. Our team would be happy to hear your story and provide insights into what may be possible for you.

What Is Mental Health?

Mental health involves a person’s psychological, emotional, and social well-being. Affecting every aspect of our experience of life, this is the lens through which we encounter thinking, feeling, and behaviour. Our mental health is significant in determining how we respond to stress, how we relate to other people, and how we go about making decisions.

Mental health is just as important as physical health when it comes to a person’s overall well-being. Indeed, the two are interconnected: psychological disorders can increase the risk of physical health disorders. For example, anxiety may be linked to higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which may in turn contribute to an elevated heart rate, and the risk of heart disease. Physical disorders likewise increase the likelihood of a person developing a mental health disorder. Living with chronic pain, for instance, may contribute to a deterioration of a person’s enjoyment of life, triggering anxiety and/or depression.

Types of Mental Health Disorders

There are many kinds of mental health disorders that can prevent a person from being able to work. Some are associated with significant rates of distress, impaired function, and possibly the risk of self-harm.

Mental health disorders can arise as a result of inherited factors, and/or be induced by traumatic or highly stressful conditions. A physical trauma to the head, such as a concussion or other brain injury, can cause changes to the physical structures that dictate a person’s cognitive and emotional processes.

Stressful or traumatic life circumstances may lead a person to self-medicate with drugs, which may further alter the neural pathways that facilitate our thinking patterns. Likewise, a person may take on particular behaviours that may provide a temporary sense of security in an environment that is insecure.

Just as no two experiences of life are the same, so too do individuals’ experiences of mental health disorders differ vastly. In some cases, a psychological disorder can be profoundly life-altering, preventing a person from being able to work or enjoy a reasonable quality of life.

Depending on circumstances, a person may be eligible to receive long-term disability benefits to help cover financial costs while they seek recovery from and/or stability within their mental health disorder. Examples of such conditions may include:

  • Depression
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Chronic anxiety
  • Schizophrenia
  • Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder
  • Drug addiction
  • Other forms of addiction
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
  • Agoraphobia
  • Panic attacks
  • Mood disorder
  • Organic mental disorders
  • Anorexia
  • Bulimia nervosa
  • Borderline personality disorder
  • Seasonal affective disorder
  • And more

The support of trained mental health professionals such as psychologists, counsellors, and psychiatrists can be profoundly helpful in helping individuals with mental health and psychological disorders. Just like any adverse condition, the process of recovery may take time.

If you are unable to work as a result of your mental health or psychological disorder, there may be long-term disability benefits available. Contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation, and see how our team at Preszler Injury Lawyers may be able to help.

Long-Term Disability Coverage for Mental Health and Psychological Disorders

The purpose of long-term disability benefits is to provide financial support for individuals who are unable to make an income as a result of a disabling condition. Depending on circumstances, long-term disability benefits may cover between 60-70% of a person’s income.

It can be challenging to navigate the process of filing a long-term disability claim, particularly while also seeking equilibrium within a mental health context. In some cases, an insurance company may deny coverage to an eligible policyholder. If this has happened to you, contact our long-term disability lawyers to see how we may be able to help you pursue an appeal.

Contact Our Ontario Mental Health and Psychological Disorders Lawyers Today For a Free Initial Consultation

If you are navigating a mental health condition that prevents you from being able to maintain an income, there may be help available through long-term disability benefits. There is no need to navigate the insurance and legal systems on your own. At Preszler Injury Lawyers, our team is here to listen to your story and see how we may be able to provide guidance as to beneficial next steps. Contact us to schedule a free initial consultation today.