How to take care of your mental health during these challenging times

During these unprecedent times, more and more Canadians are struggling with their mental health. One in five Canadians will suffer from a mental illness at some point in their life.¹ However, we also know that during traumatic periods of time, more mental health issues tend to present themselves.² It’s normal. And it’s also normal to seek help, which you should be doing if you’re suffering from any condition that causes distress, mental or emotional dysfunction and behavioural issues that result in suffering, pain or sadness.³

Examples can include anxiety, depression, eating disorders, personality disorders, alcohol and drug addiction, bipolar disorders, schizophrenia, and suicidal thoughts or behaviour.³

Treatment is available to you.

Almost half of people who experience depression or anxiety have never gone to see a doctor about it, according to the Canadian Mental Health Association.⁴ But treatment for almost every known mental health condition is available. While government health insurance plans may not cover everything, individual insurance like CAA Health & Dental plans can certainly help.

Right now, while people are home, there are many online treatment options available to you. Two popular ones that are included in a CAA Health & Dental plan are Cognitive Behaviour Therapy with BEACON and Home Delivery Pharmacy with Express Scripts Canada (ESC). BEACON offers virtual one-to-one guided registered therapy sessions. And Home Deliver Pharmacy can help you get any needed prescription medications delivered to your door.

The many costs of mental illness.

There are the obvious medical costs associated with treating mental illness, but there are other costs too. Like the effect mental illness has on a person’s quality of life and that of their family. If left untreated, mental illness can cause withdrawal from family, daily activities, and social life. It can affect marriages, a person’s ability to hold down a job and interpersonal relationships.

It can affect your physical well-being by causing you to avoid exercise, make you more likely to engage in high-risk activities like drug and substance abuse, and impair judgement.^{5, 6}

Alcohol and drug abuse are surprisingly common disorders affecting approximately 6 million Canadians, according to Statistics Canada.⁶ Considering the toll mental illness can take, seeking treatment is key.

Make mental health care a part of your routine.

Today, prescribed medications and counselling are some of the things used to treat mental illness. CAA Health & Dental Insurance plans can help cover the cost. Plans offer a mental health benefit to help cover the cost of registered professionals, including psychologists, marriage and family therapists, social workers, drug and alcohol counsellors and more. All plans come with the Healthcare Online app, which connects you instantly via text or chat with Canadian medical professionals specializing in Mental Wellness. Plans are customizable and could help save you hundreds of dollars a year, while ensuring your loved ones get the care they need.

For more information or to get a quote for CAA Health & Dental Insurance

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Sources:

¹Canada’s Role in Looking After Our Mental Health
http://www.camhblog.ca/2017/01/13/canadas-role-in-looking-after-our-mental-health/

²Mental Health and the COVID-19 Pandemic
https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-health-and-covid-19

³Mayo Clinic Mental Illness Basics
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/basics/definition/con-20033813

⁴Canadian Mental Health Association Fast Facts About Mental Illness
http://www.cmha.ca/media/fast-facts-about-mental-illness/#.WHlChRQQ8XY