Resources for Those with Depression

Depression is an insidious disease. Often regarded as an “invisible illness”, as with many other mental illnesses, depression affects roughly 8% of Canadians. Those under the age of 20 are most likely to exhibit symptoms of depression, and it is the fourth leading cause of disability in the world. It affects women in different ways than men, as they are 1.5 times more likely than men to be hospitalized for depression, and are twice as likely to experience depression. 90% of people suffering from depression never seek treatment. However, 80% of people who do seek...

21st Century Technology & Insurance Surveillance

Much has been written about the advances and convenience of new technologies that most of us are using in some way, shape, or form. The downside of all this new technology is the assault on individual privacy and freedom.   A great example of this is how insurance companies are using our obsession with new technology to monitor our daily activities. Posting on social media is one area that we have alerted our clients to be wary of when they are in the midst of an insurance claim. In the past, the main method of investigating the validity of a claim of disability was by...

Share Lawyers are in Your Corner

Here at Share Lawyers, we take pride in getting people the help they need and deserve. Simeon was denied long-term disability benefits while unable to work due to immobilizing arthritis. His condition made simple tasks nearly impossible. Simeon called us after seeing reviews online from other clients who we have had the privilege to help. While working with us, he felt secure, and was much more comfortable navigating his steps forward. We kept him updated every step of the way. “Share Lawyers are a dedicated, friendly and a professional group of people. Their commitment...

Talking About Mental Health at Work

It’s hard enough having mental illness, but the prospect of talking about it at work can seem almost too much to bear. While it’s usually straightforward to explain that you need time off for the flu, the stigma around mental illness makes it far more difficult to address symptoms of depression in a similar manner. One of our clients, Sandra, recently experienced this exact scenario. While Sandra’s depression is often controlled by medication and cognitive behavioural therapy, it can fluctuate during particularly challenging life events. Five years ago during a...

Ask a Lawyer: Depression and Mental Health

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Mental Illness Touches Everyone: Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade

This article deals with sensitive subject matter around the topic of suicide. If you or someone you know are having suicidal thoughts, please contact your province’s Suicide Prevention Crisis Centres. There is help out there. On June 5th, 2018, news broke that famous fashion designer and icon Kate Spade had died. The world very quickly found out that the cause of death was suicide. She was 55. Just days after, on June 8th, 2018, passing of celebrity chef and author Anthony Bourdain was announced. Again, the cause of death was suicide. He was 61. Andy Spade, Kate Spade’s...

Did You Know: Depression Has Physical Symptoms

According to the Mood Disorders Society of Canada, 8% of Canadians will experience major depression within their lifetime, with youth under the age of 20 and women at the greatest risk. Many symptoms of depression affect one’s ability to function emotionally or cognitively. Certainly, we know that depression affects mood. But we don’t talk nearly enough about the physical symptoms of depression that can limit one’s functionality in more easily quantifiable ways. These symptoms are often misdiagnosed as something other than depression. Physical Symptoms of Depression...

Postpartum Depression – Is This a Disability?

When we think of a debilitating condition, we often think of something physical. As a result, mental illnesses often go unattended, ignored, maligned, and sometimes even brushed aside. But according to CAMH – the Center for Addiction and Mental Health – in a given year, 1 in 5 Canadians will experience some form of mental illness. By the time they reach the age of 40, it’s estimated that 1 in 2 Canadians have, or have had, a mental illness. Those numbers are staggering, and cannot be ignored. Postpartum depression is no exception, and, according to the...