Rethinking
Mental Health
Disability Claim
Management
HOW AN INNOVATIVE DISABILITY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
SIGNIFICANTLY LOWERED THE INCIDENCE AND DURATION OF
COMPLEX MENTAL HEALTH CLAIMS IN A CANADIAN WORKPLACE
By Dr. Liz R. Scott, Ph.D. and Carl Dalton
The number of people suffering
from mental health issues in
Canadian workplaces continues
to grow. Even for those not
directly affected, the impact a mental
health issue has on an individual’s quality
of life often affects their families, work
colleagues and the wider community. The
economic impact is staggering. A study
in 2008, including the cost of health care,
lost productivity and the reduction in
health-related quality of life, estimated the
sum at about $51 billion per year.
For HR professionals, it is a big and
growing area of concern. Not only is there
the direct influence on work environments
and productivity, but many employees with
complex mental health issues (such as depression
or anxiety) will go on short-term
disability leave. This happens in about 20
to 30 per cent of cases. The issues can also
cause repeated and chronic absenteeism.
benefits
Is there a way to help make things better?
A new approach suggests there is.
Incorporating return-to-work-focused
psychological treatment with the disability
management process is an innovative
process that organizations can implement
to increase success. The first major trial,
conducted with a large Canadian manufacturing
firm, has shown a significant
reduction in both the volume and duration
of complex mental health claims. Over the
Anita Ponne/Shutterstock.com
HRPATODAY.CA ❚ MAY/JUNE 2016 ❚ 49