Unum Study Shows Prevalence of Mental Health Concerns in the Workplace
A recent research study conducted by Unum[1] shows that over half of U.S. workers felt mentally unwell in the last year. Experts indicated that health concerns and workplace pressures during the COVID-19 pandemic caused widespread mental health concerns that are expected to carry into the future.
Forty-two percent of the surveyed employees indicated that they needed to take time off work to deal with their mental health; however, almost one-third of workers reported lack of promotion of mental health resources or offerings by employers. In fact, 70% of employees suggested that there was room for improvement for their employers to reduce the stigma of mental health. According to the study, when employees do seek help, 42% do so only in a crisis, versus seeking support proactively.
As we’ve written before, physicians and dentists can be uniquely susceptible to mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and panic disorders, as well as suffering from burnout. These types of claims can be notoriously difficult to prove up, especially given the often subjective nature of symptoms.
Further, even if a doctor is able to file a successful mental health claim, many policies include mental and nervous limitations, which put a cap on the length of time you are able to receive benefits (typically about 24 months).
If you are a professional considering filing a disability claim based on mental health conditions, feel free to reach out to one of our attorneys directly.
These posts are for informative purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for consultation with and diagnosis by a medical professional. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms described above and have yet to consult with a doctor, do not use this resource to self-diagnose. Please contact your doctor immediately and schedule an appointment to be evaluated for your symptoms.
[1] Over half of U.S. workers continue to feel mentally unwell and require time away from work, Unum, June 29, 2022.
