For many people, the holidays are a time filled with family and friends, comforting food, dazzling decorations and all the fixings that instil a spirit of seasonal goodwill. But amid all the presumptive festivities, we don’t typically acknowledge the inherent stress that accompanies the yuletide. Financial expenses build up, end-of-year deadlines loom and even family […]
The Mental Health Commission of Canada attributes nearly one-third of short- and long-term disability claims to mental-health illnesses. As many employers grapple with helping employees receive the treatment they need so they can return to work, the Health Benefit Trust of Alberta has piloted a program that simplifies the process. The problem The trust, a […]
Despite the Canadian Biomarker Integration Network in Depression’s goal to define biosignatures that make depression cases unique by looking at molecular profiling, pre-clinical work, data science and neuroimaging, Dr. Claudio Soares said the organization is about 10 years behind other specialties. “We’re just trying to play catch up. We’re trying to do what other specialists have been able […]
With 44 per cent of Canadian workers experiencing mental-health issues and mental health the fastest growing and leading cause of disability claims, benefits plans are feeling the strain. “The numbers are staggering in terms of what we’re seeing and the continual growth of this as an issue,” said Rebecca Smith, director of group life and […]
Cognitive behavioural therapy is one field of mental-health treatment that’s moving progressively towards being digitally delivered. This is because digital CBT provides greater access to treatment, specifically for those in remote areas, and also helps to control costs, said Jennifer Wild, a consultant clinical psychologist and associate professor at the University of Oxford in England. Speaking […]
For employees who have been away from the workplace due to mental illness, providing treatment, reducing stigma and getting employees back to work comes down to workplace culture. “Very simply put, employees who feel valued and supported by their employers return to work,” said Michelle Harper, director of national best practices, wellness, disability and life at […]
After extensively analyzing more than 50 articles and systematic reviews of cognitive behavioural therapy, Deborah McLeod, director at Carepath Inc., knows there are still questions to be explored. While it’s generally acknowledged that facilitated interventions are better than non-facilitated, there’s evidence that standalone methods work as well, said McLeod during a session at Benefits Canada’s 2018 Mental […]
The Co-operators Life Insurance Co. is adding online cognitive behavioural therapy to its extended health-care coverage from January 2019. The new offering, through Morneau Shepell Ltd., will be included alongside the insurer’s group benefits coverage for psychologists and social workers. “We’re proud to be one of the first group benefits providers to offer iCBT in our extended health-care coverage,” said […]
EY Canada is increasing its mental-health benefits for all employees and their dependents from $900 to $5,000 a year. “EY wouldn’t exist, let alone thrive, without our people,” says Stephen Shea, EY Canada managing partner, talent. “We believe it’s our responsibility to support them and help them live their best professional and personal lives. That means […]
One young man is on the road to recovering from depression following timely pharmacogentic testing through his employer. Allison Hazell, director of genetics at Medcan, presented the case study during her presentation on genetics and pharmacogenetics at the company’s event in Toronto on Friday. The patient, a 28-year-old Medcan employee, had a history of depression. However, […]