COVID-19 and Mental Health

The COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging for everyone. We have had to limit socializing and physical interactions with family, friends and loved ones during multiple lockdowns and stay at home orders. Many people have experienced severe loneliness and isolation as a result and many people have experienced symptoms of mental illness.

This blog will discuss:

• The Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health
• COVID-19 and Returning to Work
• The Disability Application Process
• Tips and Helpful Resources
• How We Help
  

The Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health

It's been a time of chronic stress due to increased financial pressure, job loss/layoffs/job insecurity, fear of contracting coronavirus or of a loved one catching it, fear if you have an autoimmune/compromised immune system or are at higher risk.

Many people have been experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression for this first time. Those who already experienced anxiety and depression or other types of mental illnesses such as obsessive compulsive disorder found their conditions to be exacerbated.

The idea of coronavirus related anxiety has even led professors from Kingston University of London and London South Bank University coined the term "COVID-19 Anxiety Syndrome" to describe the phenomenon. The professors authored a paper in Psychiatry Research Trusted Source which was first published in October 2020. The paper described the various characteristics of COVID-19 Anxiety Syndrome such as avoidance, compulsive symptom-checking, worrying, and threat monitoring (combined).

It is felt that people with COVID-19 Anxiety Syndrome present as unable to leave the house due to their COVID-19 fears, frequent checking for symptoms (without having to be in a high-risk scenario) and avoiding social situations/people. It is also noted that people with this syndrome usually experience symptoms such as increased anxiety, health anxiety, general stress, post-traumatic stress and suicidal ideation. 

Doctors have also coined the term "Post COVID-19 Syndrome" (previously called COVID longhaulers) to describe the collective group of symptoms that people continue to experience weeks and months after they first contract COVID-19 and no longer test positive for it. People who experience Post COVID-19 Syndrome often report symptoms such as severe fatigue, brain fog, mood disorders and sleep disturbance. You can read more about this syndrome in our blog post here.

COVID-19 and Returning to Work

With the province and much of the country in the reopening phase, more people are getting ready for a return to the workplace but they may be feeling increased stress and anxiety about it.

Why Are Employees Concerned?

Many people may be concerned about whether or not their employer will be putting proper safety protocols in place for employees (i.e. providing proper personal protective equipment and requiring employees to use same).

If you have been working from home for over a year may be experiencing increased anxiety about returning to the office. Or maybe you are concerned about how you will get to work if you require public transportation and have no other way to get to work. We understand how using public transportation could cause increase worry, particularly if you have a compromised immune system or experience severe anxiety.  

If you work in a customer facing role or a setting such as a grocery store, retail store or restaurant, the prospect of restrictions lifting (like allowing the store to operate at full capacity) can be causing further stress and overwhelm. You may also have been recalled after a temporary lay off and may feel apprehensive about returning to work at an environment such as a factory or warehouse and working close to other people.

Wherever you work, we understand why this type of change might cause symptoms of anxiety and worry. For people who already experienced anxiety disorders, depression or other mental illnesses, this might add to their symptoms. Increased anxiety might cause difficulties sleeping like insomnia and difficulties focusing.

Employee Rights

Under the Occupational Health and Safety Ac (OHSA), provincial workers have the right to refuse to work in a workplace they have reason to believe is likely to endanger them. The employee has the burden of proof to demonstrate that the environment is unsafe. The employer must show they have taken reasonable steps to make the workplace safe. It is important to know that employees should be know that an outright refusal to come into work can be interpreted as job abandonment, even if you have no intention of leaving your job. Of note, you should always document any conversations/communications you have with your employer about your safety concerns.

Under the Canada Labour Code, employees have three basic rights which are:

1. The right to know
2. The right to participate
3. The right to refuse dangerous work

This applies to federally regulated employees (i.e. transportation or banking).

For more information about employee rights, you can visit our blog post here.

The Disability Application Process

The application package for short-term and long-term disability benefits is comprised of 3 forms; the Employer Statement, the Employee Statement and the Attending Physician's Statement. You will also be asked to participate in what is known as a "functional telephone interview" with the case manager assigned to your claim.

The Employer Statement

The Employer Statement (also called the Plan Sponsor Statement) is submitted to the insurer by your employer. This form is a necessary part of your application as it contains information such as your salary, your typical weekly hours worked, your job duties and how long you have worked at the company. Your insurance company is particularly interested in knowing what your duties and responsibilities are as they need to understand how your condition would affect your ability to perform them.

The Employer Statement can also provide information such as workplace issues or absence issues, accommodations or performance concerns. Your employer might indicate if they noticed a change in your workplace performance due to your disability.

The Employee Statement

The Employee Statement (also known as the Plan Member Statement) is your opportunity to explain your condition. On this form, you can provide information about your condition, your symptoms, your treatment and treatment providers and any upcoming medical appointments/referrals or tests. You also may be asked to provide information about your job duties and why you feel you are unable to perform them and what barriers you have in terms of returning to work.

Other information that may be asked of you includes your previous employment experiences, training and education. This is because insurance company is gathering information to see what your transferable skills are.

When you are applying for disability benefits as a result of a mental illness, it is important to provide as much information as you can about how your condition affects your functional abilities.

The Attending Physician's Statement

It is recommended that the physician who knows the most about your condition completes this form for you.

Your physician, be it your family doctor or a specialist will be providing information such as:

• The nature of your condition/a diagnosis
• Your reported (subjective) symptoms and objective symptoms
• Any pending tests or referrals
• Response to treatment
• Compliance with treatment recommendations
• Medically supported restrictions and limitations
• Prognosis for recovery and return to work
• Any complicating factors for recovery

It is also helpful for your doctor to provide supporting documentation such as clinical notes, test results and specialist reports. In the case of mental illness, there are no objective tests like diagnostic imaging so it is very important for your doctor to describe your symptoms in detail and fully explain your restrictions and limitations.

The more information your insurance company has about your condition, the better.

Functional Telephone Interview

As part of the initial adjudication process, the case manager arranges an interview with you in order to obtain detailed information about your disability. You will be asked questions about why you stopped working when you did, what you perceive to be your restrictions and limitations and barriers to returning to work and your treatment. You may also be asked about your previous employment experience, education and training. The questions may be similar to information provided on the Employee Statement.

The case manager is looking to gain an understanding of how your condition impacts your day to day activities and may ask what a usual day is like for you and how your symptoms affect your day to day activities and your overall functional abilities.

Tips and Helpful Resources

Early in the pandemic, the Government of Ontario recognized the challenges people were facing and announced emergency funding would be going to online and virtual mental health supports.

We thought we would put together a list of resources to help you during this time. Below are also a few ideas and resources to help you cope while practicing social distancing.

Seek Credible Information

The amount of information that is out there is overwhelming. It can be hard to ignore all the news alerts and avoid the news.

It is important to check credible news sources because a lot of information is posted on the internet each day, but not all of it is reliable. Credible news sources include The World Health Organization, Health Canada and Ontario Ministry of Health.

Find The Right Amount of “Informed” For You

Stay informed without becoming overwhelmed. It sounds easier said than done with all the information out there. One suggestion is limiting how much time you spend watching or reading the news or what time of day you check the news or limiting it to one source.

Create A Routine

You may find it helpful to have a routine/daily schedule for working from home, meals, sleep, and leisure activities.

Keep In Touch

Social distancing does not mean you have to stop all social interactions. There are many ways to stay in touch with friends and family and check in on them, be it email, text, phone call or video call. Check in on your family, friends and neighbours.

Practice Self-Care

Self-care is important for everyone. Some self-care ideas include meditation, journaling, taking a walk (while physically distancing from others).

Resources

The following is a list of resources you may find helpful:

• The World Health Organization (https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019)
• Health Canada (https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html)
• Ontario Ministry of Health (https://www.ontario.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus )
• Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-health-and-covid-19 )
• Canadian Mental Health Association (https://cmha.ca/news/covid-19-and-mental-health)
• Connex Ontario (https://www.connexontario.ca)
• BounceBack (https://bouncebackontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario (https://www.ontario.ca/page/find-mental-health-support)
  

How We Help

Our lawyers have helped those whose disability claims for mental illness to successfully resolve their claims. We understand the difficult time you are going through and are here to help.

We also represent clients who have had difficulties with employment related matters such as constructive dismissal, wrongful dismissal, bullying and harassment and human rights violations. We are able to help employees who have experienced these issues.

If you require help with a short-term or long-term disability claim and/or employment matter, do not hesitate to contact us for a free initial consultation that can be arranged at a date and time that is convenient for you. We are able to meet with clients by telephone and videoconference at this time.