The coronavirus pandemic has significantly increased the number of mental-health supports that employees have access to as well as their willingness to seek help when they need it, said Georgia Pomaki, leader of mental-health specialists, wellness, disability and life at Manulife Financial Corp., during Benefits Canada’s 2021 Mental Health Summit.

Canadian insurers paid out $420 million in psychology claims in 2020, a staggering 24 per cent increased from 2019, according to the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association’s latest data. “This is an astounding level of support and that’s a positive trend,” she said. “We’re seeing more mental-health benefits being offered to workers and more workers are reaching out for treatment.”

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