Mental health condition claims
We provide benefits for mental health conditions related to employment though not all mental health conditions qualify for benefits. Similar to physical injuries, the first step in starting your claim is to report it to us.
- What mental health conditions are eligible for benefits?
- Making a mental health claim
- What to expect with a mental health claim
- Benefits for an accepted mental health claim
- If you are experiencing bullying or harassment
What mental health conditions are eligible for benefits?
To qualify for benefits, a mental health injury must have happened at work and there must be a diagnosed mental health condition as a result of that injury. The injury must be due to one or more significant work-related stressors or a reaction to one or more traumatic work-related events.
For us to accept a mental health claim, we need to have a diagnosis by a psychiatrist or psychologist. Our decision on whether to accept a claim for a mental health condition is bound by law and related policy. This means that we can't accept a claim caused by an employer’s decision relating to employment, such as the following:
- A change in work or working conditions
- Discipline, including termination of employment
- Workload and deadlines
- Work evaluation and performance management
- A transfer, lay-off, demotion, or reorganization
Making a mental health claim
To start your mental health claim, follow the steps for reporting an illness or injury.
What to expect with a mental health claim
As with any other work-related injury or illness, we have to hear from both you and your employer. Our specialized Mental Health Claims team will manage your claim. We may need to contact you to gather information that helps us decide:
- Whether we can accept your claim
- What benefits we can provide
- What medical information we need
- What types of treatment might be offered
- How to support your return to work
As part of our work, we may need to take a detailed history. We may also ask you to complete a questionnaire.
Our case manager will:
- Contact your employer
- Gather all relevant medical reports
- Carry out any other needed investigations
- Refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist if appropriate
Once we have enough information, we are able to decide what benefits you may be eligible to receive.
Our nurses who specialize in return to work may also contact you to help. Depending on your situation, you may also work with other members of our team to support your recovery and safe return to work.
Benefits for an accepted mental health claim
If we accept your claim, the type and duration of benefits you receive will depend on the medical and psychological evidence and the nature of the mental health condition.
Benefits may include the following:
- Support for returning to work
- Compensation for lost wages
- The costs of treatment by a doctor, psychologist, or psychiatrist
- The costs of treatment for a mental health program
- The costs of prescription drugs needed to treat the condition
If you are experiencing bullying or harassment
If you are experiencing bullying or harassment in your workplace, please review our bullying and harassment information to see how to report it and learn about your next steps.
