Taking Action on the Mental Wellbeing of Working Canadians
Posted by Medavie Blue Cross on December 8, 2023
Taking Action on the Mental Wellbeing of Working Canadians
Posted by Medavie Blue Cross on December 8, 2023
Mental health issues among Canada’s working population persist post-pandemic, according to the latest findings of the Longitudinal Study of the Observatory on Health and Well-Being at Work (ELOSMET), and shared at our recent Insights webinar on disability management solutions and strategies.
As an insurer committed to helping employers build psychologically healthy and safe workplaces, Medavie Blue Cross sponsors this extensive study on the mental health of Canada’s labour force. The study involves an online survey that started in 2019 and is repeated every year for five years. 6,602 Canadians from 95 workplaces participated in the most recent survey and covered the period 2021-2023 (Cycle 3). Preliminary results found that among employed people in this sample, the prevalence of mental health issues remains significant and continues to vary by gender and age.
Study results
- Psychological distress affects over 1-in-3 (38.6%) working Canadians. This represents a small decline from 40.7% in Cycle 2 (2020-2022) and a near return to the level reported in Cycle 1 (2019-2021) of 37.3%.
- 12.5%-15.9% of respondents reported symptoms of depression or anxiety.
- 25.4% reported burnout and 22.4% used psychotropic drugs.
- A higher percentage of women (41.3%) reported psychological distress compared to 35% of men.
- However, researchers did observe a slight increase in depressive and anxious symptoms in men between Cycles 2 and 3, as well as the symptoms of depression in people aged 35-49.
Over time, the study will help glean insights into work and non-work-related factors contributing to better health and wellness outcomes for the Canadian working population. For Medavie Blue Cross, the OSMET study presents an opportunity for our team to reassess, through data and other insights, the mental wellness supports and solutions we provide through our benefit plans to ensure they remain relevant and responsive to change.
Providing timely access to expert mental health care
Strengthening and expediting access to psychiatric care has always been a major focus of Medavie Blue Cross’s efforts to support the mental wellbeing of working Canadians.
To illustrate, we were one of the first insurers in Canada to offer early-stage psychiatric assessment and care for short-term disability claimants with a mental health diagnosis through our partnership with Medaca Health Group, a leader in early mental health intervention.
Providing timely access to expert mental health care
Strengthening and expediting access to psychiatric care has always been a major focus of Medavie Blue Cross’s efforts to support the mental wellbeing of working Canadians.
To illustrate, we were one of the first insurers in Canada to offer early-stage psychiatric assessment and care for short-term disability claimants with a mental health diagnosis through our partnership with Medaca Health Group, a leader in early mental health intervention.
Since adding Medaca’s service to our disability management toolbox, Medavie Blue Cross has seen wait times for a claimant to see a psychiatrist reduced to two to three weeks. We’ve also achieved a 20% reduction in short-term disability claims transitioning to long-term disability, surpassing the industry benchmark — just one of the ways we are leading the way in disability management. Our proactive and customized case management model has resulted in an overall reduction of 33% of long-term disability claims.
Expanding our model to musculoskeletal conditions
Recognizing the positive impact of early intervention on our mental health claims, we are expanding this approach to include support for members with primary diagnoses related to musculoskeletal conditions (e.g. disorders of the muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, spinal discs, or related soft tissue).
In 2024, we will pilot an innovative program that leverages the latest AI technology for better and earlier triaging of musculoskeletal claims. This service help case managers identify high-risk claims that may require more active management. It will also offer a complete range of medical assessments, functional testing, and evidence-based recommendations to help inform and drive decision-making.
Expanding our model to musculoskeletal conditions
Recognizing the positive impact of early intervention on our mental health claims, we are expanding this approach to include support for members with primary diagnoses related to musculoskeletal conditions (e.g. disorders of the muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, spinal discs, or related soft tissue).
In 2024, we will pilot an innovative program that leverages the latest AI technology for better and earlier triaging of musculoskeletal claims. This service help case managers identify high-risk claims that may require more active management. It will also offer a complete range of medical assessments, functional testing, and evidence-based recommendations to help inform and drive decision-making.
Besides identifying or confirming musculoskeletal diagnoses, the assessment offered through this service will also flag any underlying mental health conditions that may associated with the claim. Along with our existing use of Medaca, this new pilot will add another layer of support to our already robust mental health support solutions.
Mental health resources for your workforce
Outside disability management, we offer several mental wellness solutions through our digital health platform, Connected Care. This includes Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in-person, online or by text, as a mindfulness app to build mental resilience through meditation, as well as pharmacogenetic testing, which predetermines the safest and most effective drug therapies and dosages based on the member’s unique genetic make-up.
Additionally, we cover the counselling services of a broad range of mental health practitioners as part of our standard offering and provide self-care resources to improve mental wellbeing through our wellness portal, My Good Health.
Our EFAP program, inConfidence, offers plan members confidential counselling and education services to deal with a wide range of issues they may face at home or on the job.
Want to know more?
Speak to your Medavie Blue Cross representative to learn more about how we are supporting the mental health of working Canadians and how we are outperforming the industry on key return-to-health-and-work metrics to deliver exceptional plan value to our clients.
Medavie Blue Cross is a premier all-in-one carrier that provides health, dental, travel, life and disability benefits and administers federal and provincial government-sponsored health programs. Together with Medavie Health Services, we are part of Medavie, a health solutions partner committed to improving the wellbeing of Canadians. We are in the...