How ODSP Can Benefit Mental Health Patients
- (Photo : How ODSP Can Benefit Mental Health Patients)
Mental illness is often misdiagnosed, and when it's discovered, it carries a stigma with it. People tend to think that if someone is suffering from a condition such as depression, they're just making it up and should snap out of it.
The harsh reality is that sometimes these afflictions can cause a person to withdraw entirely from society and prevent them from living productive lives. The ODSP recognizes that individuals who genuinely suffer from mental health problems need assistance to function daily.
We explore how the fund can assist patients with mental and emotional conditions.
What Is ODSP?
When people have severe health problems or disabilities and are in financial need, the Ontario Disability Support Program provides them with monetary assistance. This support is to help them pay for living expenses, such as food or housing.
It's a program funded by the government aimed at helping people over the age of 18 who have a disability and need income support. Furthermore, if the condition is not too severe, the organization can help people find jobs and build their careers.
Who Qualifies for ODSP?
According to the experts at ODSP Brampton, the following criteria need to be met for an individual to qualify for ODSP benefits:
-
The person has a substantial mental or physical impairment that's continuous and recurrent, which is expected to last a year or more.
-
The impairment directly affects the person's ability to attend to their personal care, function in the community, and the workplace. It must result in a substantial restriction in the activities of daily living.
-
A qualified individual has verified the disability, its expected duration, and its restriction on the person's standard of living.
Mental Health Disorders
The fund doesn't only look at physical disability but also regards mental health as a form of impairment. The following ailments are considered for the eligibility of benefits.
-
Depression
-
Anxiety
-
Eating Disorders
-
Bipolar disorder
-
Personality disorder
-
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Unlike a physical disability, which can be seen, a mental disorder is often hard to identify but can affect an individual's ability to work. However, if diagnosed correctly and verified by the correct practitioner, people suffering from mental disorders can benefit from ODSP.
https://pixabay.com/photos/mental-health-wellness-psychology-2019924/
What Are the Benefits of Receiving ODSP?
When a person cannot work and receive an income due to a disability, it can be stressful for them to try to figure out how they'll survive. The Ontario Disability Support Program is designed to assist people in obtaining basic necessities.
There are two types of support offered:
-
Income support is financial assistance provided every month to cover expenses of fundamental needs such as food, shelter, and clothing. It also includes benefits such as vision care, drug coverage for a disabled person, and their eligible family members.
-
The fund will also provide qualified people with incontinence supplies such as adult nappies and pads at no charge. It will cover transport to and from any medical appointments required if the fee is over $15 per month.
-
The second type of assistance provided is to aid affected people with services to help them find and keep a job and resources for advancing their careers.
Final Thoughts
Mental illness can be debilitating and force an individual to withdraw from daily activities. It includes distancing themselves from other people and not being able to work. The lack of income creates a problem in obtaining necessities such as food and shelter.
Once a person is diagnosed by a professional, they can approach the ODSP fund for financial assistance to cover their basic needs. If individuals don't require monetary aid, they can receive help to find work and develop their careers.
The ODSP is a last resort for those struggling to cope. It can be a beneficial aid in building up confidence and restoring self-worth in impaired individuals.
If once you start taking treatment of ODSP then you should say I don't care about anything, feel various positive changes in your mental health.
