Teachers, we know you have been under significant stress for many months, now.  First, there were the contract disputes and rotating strike days, and then when it seemed as though things were finally looking up and settling down, the pandemic hit.  You worked hard, scrambling to support our children online for months with little preparation or resources to help you, while also dealing with your own personal stress and worries around the pandemic.  You may have felt some relief at the start of the summer, only to be catapulted back into a state of uncertainty and anxiety as the new school year quickly approached.  (Please see our open letter to teachers, “Dear Ontario Teachers: Preparing for the Unknown”.)

These past few weeks leading up to your return to work have been filled with announcements, return-to-school plans and a barrage of anxiety-provoking social media posts from all fronts.  It’s enough to make anyone’s head spin.  It would be no wonder if you are feeling emotionally drained at the very least and, more than likely, you are feeling some degree of anxiety and panic about returning to school, with so much still unknown.  

For some of you, while it will be difficult to adjust to the “new normal” and then pivot as things are sure to evolve over the school year, you will somehow manage the stress of all that is thrown your way and, ultimately, push through.  For others, the stress of returning to school this year and teaching either in-person or online, could have serious implications for your mental health.

Mental Health Conditions Resulting in OTIP LTD Claims

It may be that the accumulated stress of these past several months and recent weeks has caused an aggravation of a pre-existing mental health-related condition or it could be that all this stress has triggered a new mental illness.  In either case, you may find that your mental health is suffering.  For some of you, your mental health may be severely limiting your ability to perform your duties as a teacher, let alone perform your regular daily activities (such as parenting, socializing, self-care, housekeeping, recreation, reading, communication, etc.).  

As you probably know, some of the most common mental health conditions are: depression, anxiety, personality disorders and bi-polar disorder.  These conditions can severely limit your ability to work and may form the basis for an OTIP long-term disability claim.  

Of those conditions, over the past several months, we have seen a surge of claims based on depression and anxiety.  According to the World Health Organization, depression is a leading cause of disability, affecting approximately 300 million people worldwide and can lead to long-term disability.  According to WebMD, the most common types of depression are: major depression, persistent depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), psychotic depression, peripartum (postpartum) depression, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), “situational” depression, and atypical depression.  

Teachers Struggling with Depression

While you may feel “off” or “not like yourself”, you might not realize that you could be experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety.  Some symptoms for you to look out for now, in the coming weeks and in the coming months, include:

Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” moodsFeelings of hopelessness or pessimismFatigueIrritabilityFeelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessnessLoss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activitiesDecreased energy or fatigueMoving or talking more slowlyFeeling restless or having trouble sitting stillDifficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisionsInsomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or sleeping too muchAppetite or weight changesThoughts of death or suicide, suicide attemptsAches, pains, headaches, or cramps and digestive problems without a clear physical cause and that do not ease even with treatment

Teachers Struggling with Anxiety

In addition to depression, we see many teachers and other professionals suffering from anxiety and panic disorders.  There are several types of anxiety disorders: generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, phobias, agoraphobia, separation anxiety, selective mutism and medication-induced anxiety disorder.  These conditions alone, or combined with depression, can be difficult to manage and often requires intensive treatment to improve functioning to the extent that returning to work is possible.  

According to WebMD, the main symptom of anxiety disorders is excessive fear or worry. Anxiety disorders can also make it hard to breathe, sleep, stay still, and concentrate.  Your specific symptoms depend on the type of anxiety disorder you have.  Many of the teachers we have spoken with in recent weeks are experiencing many of these and other symptoms of anxiety.  Some teachers will be able to manage and overcome their anxiety, while others may struggle to function or return to or continue to teach.

Some of the most common symptoms of anxiety to look out for are: 

Panic, fear, and uneasinessFeelings of panic, doom, or dangerSleep problemsNot being able to stay calm and stillCold, sweaty, numb, or tingling hands or feetShortness of breathBreathing faster and more quickly than normal (hyperventilation)Heart palpitationsDry mouthNauseaTense musclesDizzinessThinking about a problem over and over again and unable to stop (rumination)Inability to concentrateIntensely or obsessively avoiding feared objects or places

Unable to Perform Duties of Your Regular Assignment

Symptoms of mental illness, and most commonly symptoms of depression and anxiety can impede your ability to perform the “duties of your regular assignment” and make it impossible for you to work, let alone perform many of your other responsibilities.   

You might find it difficult or impossible to plan and prepare lessons, engage and teach students, complete marking, evaluate student performance, attend and participate in meetings, be on time for classes, be mentally present while teaching, promote a positive learning environment, learn and adapt to teaching online, and to enforce and comply with the countless health and safety protocols that are expected to be in place.  
However, if you are struggling, it is important you seek medical attention and possibly help from your union or a lawyer, as soon as possible to ensure that your LTD claim is approved in the first instance and if not, to be prepared to dispute any potential denial.
Knowing your limits and knowing when and if to stop working and apply for Sick Leave is critical.  Stopping work while you are still functioning fairly well and completing your duties, may not be a good idea and could lead to the denial of your sick leave and LTD claims.  Continuing to work while you are not well could strain your relationship with your colleagues, students, administrators and your board.  Sick leave could be a way to take some time to recover while preserving your relationships with your employer.