Harley Robertson
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thread 1/18
Yesterday was "World Mental Health Day", where we are supposed to "raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health."

So, I think we should take a moment to think about Mental Health and Health Insurance.
08:21 AM - Oct 11, 2023
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Harley Robertson
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thread 2/18
Companies often tout that they support World Mental Health Day, and are supportive of their employees when they face mental health issues, but what does that actually look like?
08:21 AM - Oct 11, 2023
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Harley Robertson
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thread 3/18
If you need to take time off for stress leave, so that you can deal with and recover from a crisis, or just to recharge your batteries, does your company's policies support that?
08:21 AM - Oct 11, 2023
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Harley Robertson
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thread 4/18
Or do they hire a third party insurance company/arborator and hope that they are doing the right thing?

The structure behind most approved employee time off is the same as if you broke your leg (or some other body part) on the job.
08:21 AM - Oct 11, 2023
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Harley Robertson
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thread 5/18
They want to know when it occurred (specific date), if you saw a doctor (official GP/MD) for that injury, and how long the doctor says until you are ready to work again.
08:22 AM - Oct 11, 2023
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Harley Robertson
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thread 6/18
Mental health issues rarely fall into that mould. We may not be able to pinpoint exactly when they started, and a GP who has 15 minutes per patient may not be in a position to fully assess the scope of the issue. So the typical insurance structure doesn't match.
08:22 AM - Oct 11, 2023
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Harley Robertson
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thread 7/18
The employer/insurance may demand a note from your GP, but in your situation your naturopath may have spent more time with you and is a better resource for the state of your mental health.
08:22 AM - Oct 11, 2023
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Harley Robertson
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thread 8/18
Additionally, filling out forms structured for the broken leg scenario while you are needing a break from stressors can be... stressful. Especially when more and more proof is asked to justify that you have a need to take a break.
08:22 AM - Oct 11, 2023
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Harley Robertson
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thread 9/18
You must prove that you're able to fill out complex forms to justify that you are not in a state to fill out complex forms. Then, your claim is very likely to be denied, since you didn't break your leg.
08:22 AM - Oct 11, 2023
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Harley Robertson
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thread 10/18
After you've been significantly stressed out by all the forms, doctor's visits, and denials, you are expected back at work from your "vacation".
08:22 AM - Oct 11, 2023
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Harley Robertson
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thread 11/18
Those involved and are trying to help may focus on that paperwork, trying to understand it, or force your situation to fit in the structure the paperwork presents.
08:22 AM - Oct 11, 2023
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Harley Robertson
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thread 12/18
This system is flawed. And it was not set up by people aware of mental health issues. If your company uses this structure, it needs to change.
08:23 AM - Oct 11, 2023
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Harley Robertson
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thread 13/18
Many companies already have sick day policies where you can take a few days off every year no questions asked, and no need to justify them. This is important for allowing us to disengage from work and find the life balance we need.
08:23 AM - Oct 11, 2023
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Harley Robertson
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thread 14/18
But sometimes we need to take more time. Two weeks. A month. There's no set formula for how much time we need, and we need to get past the idea that people are just wanting to get paid for not doing anything. That's not the point.
08:23 AM - Oct 11, 2023
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Harley Robertson
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thread 15/18
Often what people in these situations need more than a paycheck is job security. Mental health issues don't always resolve themselves overnight, or over a few days, and they may not if there's a constant stress of worrying about if your job will still be there when you go back.
08:23 AM - Oct 11, 2023
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Harley Robertson
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thread 16/18
So companies, if you value your employees, think about also having time off without pay policies. Even when insurance claims are denied. If an employee is off for mental health reasons for two months, thinking the insurance will cover it, then insurance denies it - they didn't know that in advance.
08:23 AM - Oct 11, 2023
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Harley Robertson
A
thread 17/18
If there's a written policy in place that an employee won't be reprimanded or fired for being in that position, when there was no mal intent on the part of the employee, then that would go a long way to removing stressors for those employees and they're more likely to heal during that time.
08:24 AM - Oct 11, 2023
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Harley Robertson
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thread 18/18
Anyway, that's my thoughts on World Mental Health Day.

Review your mental health insurance forms and policies, make sure they make sense, and make sure they support people - not stress them out further.
08:24 AM - Oct 11, 2023
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