{"id":92199,"date":"2025-10-23T17:50:06","date_gmt":"2025-10-23T21:50:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mentalhealthcommission.ca\/?page_id=92199"},"modified":"2026-01-30T14:42:27","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T19:42:27","slug":"understanding-chronic-conditions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/mentalhealthcommission.ca\/a-managers-guide-to-workplace-accommodations\/understanding-chronic-conditions\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding Chronic Conditions"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"92199\" class=\"elementor elementor-92199\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-90653fa e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"90653fa\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7de02b7 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7de02b7\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;slideshow&quot;,&quot;background_slideshow_gallery&quot;:[],&quot;background_slideshow_loop&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;background_slideshow_slide_duration&quot;:5000,&quot;background_slideshow_slide_transition&quot;:&quot;fade&quot;,&quot;background_slideshow_transition_duration&quot;:500}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-13789ff e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"13789ff\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b35649b e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b35649b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7a7baf6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7a7baf6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Understanding chronic conditions<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-24ed9ad e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"24ed9ad\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a2e87e5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a2e87e5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A fine balance<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/h5><h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">People leaders navigate multiple responsibilities daily. The key to successful accommodation isn\u2019t choosing between employee needs and organizational goals, it\u2019s finding practical solutions that serve both. When we approach accommodation as collaborative problem-solving, we create win\u2013win scenarios that benefit everyone.<\/span><\/em><\/h5>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b23523a e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b23523a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-13886c8 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"13886c8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e0f3f2d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e0f3f2d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Beyond \u201cseeing is believing\u201d <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e9526b0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e9526b0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Many health conditions don\u2019t announce themselves by name.<\/p><p>Take it from Stacey Lintern, CEO of Muscular Dystrophy Canada.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3177edc e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3177edc\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3cf9238 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3cf9238\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">\u201cIt can take up to 17 years to get a diagnosis in some cases. It might start with muscle weakness in the hands, or a drop foot, and a lack of awareness even within the medical profession means people aren\u2019t referred to neurologists.\u201d<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c44ad83 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c44ad83\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>During any journey to diagnosis, people may struggle with symptoms that affect their work, without having the documentation traditionally required for accommodations.<\/p><p>This reality challenges employers to lead with compassion, rather than compliance.<\/p><p>When someone gathers the courage to disclose, they\u2019re taking a big risk.<\/p><p>How you respond shapes not just their experience, but the willingness of others to speak up.<\/p><p>By building a culture of responsibility and trust, you\u2019re empowering your employees to be productive and effective on their terms.<\/p><p>No excuses. No apologies. No judgment.<\/p><p>While organizational culture can be slow to transform, individual leaders can create islands of trust within their teams. Research shows that many employees will hesitate to approach managers or HR about accommodations, which means that a network of trained, trusted peers is essential for a truly accessible workplace.<sup><a class=\"footnote\" href=\"#1\">1<\/a>,<a class=\"footnote\" href=\"#2\">2<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d943422 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d943422\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7b535f9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7b535f9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">It\u2019s hard to explain how unexpected [a diagnosis] felt. How unprepared I was. I sat there, in stunned silence, without a clue about what to do next.\u201d<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c0c867d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c0c867d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">\u2014 Laura Syron, President and CEO, Diabetes Canada<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c8d2b3 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6c8d2b3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e5f82fc elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e5f82fc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"num-citations\">\n \t<li style=\"padding-bottom: 10px !important;\"><span id=\"1\">1.<\/span> The <a style=\"font-size: 10px;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.benefitscanada.com\/news\/bencan\/report-finds-10-of-canadians-with-disabilities-denied-employment-in-last-5-years\/\">most common reasons for not requesting accommodations<\/a> are feeling uncomfortable asking an employer (45%) and not wanting to disclose the accommodation need (36%).<\/li>\n \t<li><span id=\"3\">2. <\/span>Research from <a style=\"font-size: 10px;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/government\/publicservice\/wellness-inclusion-diversity-public-service\/diversity-inclusion-public-service\/accessibility-public-service\/benchmarking-study-workplace-accommodations\/federal-public-servants-with-disabilities-follow-up-survey-workplace-accommodations.html\"><strong>Federal Public Servants with Disabilities: October 2019 Follow Up Survey on Workplace Accommodation<\/strong><\/a>s and Statistics Canada\u2019s <a style=\"font-size: 10px;\" href=\"https:\/\/www150.statcan.gc.ca\/n1\/daily-quotidien\/250210\/dq250210c-eng.htm\"><strong>Accessibility barriers related to employment among persons with disabilities or long-term conditions, 2024 <\/strong><\/a>\u00a0found that the most common types of barriers that people experienced were difficulties disclosing their disability to their potential employers (54%) and difficulties related to accommodations such as unmet accommodation requests, inability to request accommodations or lack of awareness that accommodations were available (32%).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0b42124 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"0b42124\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5658e33 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5658e33\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d2c76c3 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"d2c76c3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0487155 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0487155\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">\u201cWe\u2019ve all had a moment when life delivers news that turns our reality on its head. Not everyone with chronic disease is at the same stage of their journey. They might be struggling with symptoms but not have a diagnosis yet. They might be dealing with shock and stress as they manage symptoms while reorienting their expectations and their life. Your job is to meet them where they are. With flexibility. Patience. Compassion. And, most importantly, with the understanding they aren\u2019t just adapting to a condition \u2014 they\u2019re learning a whole new language to describe their experience in the world. It may take them some time to find the words.\"  problems and strive for true equity.\u201d<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f58a25d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f58a25d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">\u2014 Liz Horvath <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6ae61fe e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6ae61fe\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7610b29 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7610b29\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9c642d0 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"9c642d0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d27d2d9 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d27d2d9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-96dd319 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"96dd319\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Chronic disease: You can never \u201cpunch out\"<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-420b460 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"420b460\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Consider the display of mental strength and resiliency required by those living with chronic disease.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-80d6a9a e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"80d6a9a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1b1fe21 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1b1fe21\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">\u201cI\u2019m sorry, my [glucose] monitor is beeping here. This is life with diabetes. You\u2019re never off the clock.\u201d<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2c7bbcf elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2c7bbcf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">\u2014Laura Syron, President and CEO, Diabetes Canada<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-96ff56c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"96ff56c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Unlike an occasional headache or temporary injury, chronic conditions like diabetes require<\/p><ul><li>monitoring blood glucose levels (for diabetes) and other symptoms throughout the day<\/li><li>taking medication at precise times<\/li><li>making constant adjustments<\/li><li>managing all this while meeting professional responsibilities.<\/li><\/ul><p>The mental load of constant health management adds invisible effort to everyday tasks. But isolation doesn\u2019t have to be part of the load.<\/p><p>Small adjustments, such as flexible break times, private spaces for monitoring health or taking medication, and remote work options, allow these employees to go from surviving to thriving.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-912e0cd e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"912e0cd\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8760972 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"8760972\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c0c7270 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c0c7270\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">When wellness comes in waves: Managing episodic conditions<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cc817d1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cc817d1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Many chronic conditions follow unpredictable patterns of flares and remission that can challenge traditional workplace expectations of consistent performance.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a5a94b9 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a5a94b9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fb7314d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"fb7314d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">\u201cYou can\u2019t see arthritis; it\u2019s sneaky, one day you\u2019re fully functional, the next you\u2019re laid low by a flare; you\u2019re isolated and afraid of the judgment that comes with being labelled as unwell.\u201d<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6b2ab94 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6b2ab94\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">- Trish Barbato, President and CEO, Arthritis Society Canada<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1d88664 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1d88664\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>This unpredictability creates unique challenges:<\/p><ul><li>Employees may hesitate to take on high-profile projects because they fear a flare.<\/li><li>Colleagues may misinterpret inconsistent abilities as lack of commitment.<\/li><li>Traditional performance metrics may penalize fluctuations in capacity.<\/li><\/ul><h4><strong>Practical approaches for managers<\/strong><\/h4><p>Build trust through regular, informal check-ins where employees feel comfortable discussing challenges. Show openness to flexibility before it\u2019s needed, and ask what would help your team members work at their best. When challenges arise, focus on collaborative problem-solving \u2014 you don\u2019t need to have all the answers immediately. Being honest about needing to research options shows you\u2019re committed to finding real solutions.<\/p><p>Here are some starting points:<\/p><ul><li>Create backup systems and cross-train team members.<\/li><li>Focus on overall outcomes rather than consistent daily performance.<\/li><li>Establish flexible deadlines where possible.<\/li><li>Develop contingency plans together during an employee\u2019s well periods.<\/li><li>Normalize conversations about changing capacity.<\/li><\/ul><p>By acknowledging the natural rhythm of episodic conditions, workplaces can retain talented employees through difficult periods and benefit from their full contributions during well periods.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dd759ee e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"dd759ee\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-08063a8 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"08063a8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aac4cff e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"aac4cff\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6a84640 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6a84640\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-17c747a e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"17c747a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d984d64 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d984d64\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e36bdda elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e36bdda\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Twice the burden: When symptoms and stigma collide<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e222f9b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e222f9b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>For people living with major or chronic disease, symptoms may come with the added weight of stigma.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: left;\">Recent research from HealthPartners\u2019 Health Advisory Network reveals that 21 per cent of respondents chose not to disclose a health condition in their workplace for fear of negative consequences. Of those who did disclose, 31 per cent reported experiencing negative repercussions. Of most concern is the finding that people with lived experience of mental health conditions were the least likely to disclose, with 45 per cent choosing to keep their condition private.<sup><a class=\"footnote\" href=\"#3\">3<\/a><\/sup><\/p><h4><strong>The real risks of non-disclosure<\/strong><\/h4><p>Employees<sup><a class=\"footnote\" href=\"#4\">4<\/a><\/sup> who fear stigma or job loss are significantly more likely to hide substance use issues and continue working \u2014 potentially creating serious safety hazards, affecting decision-making, and increasing the risk of accidents. This pattern extends beyond substance use to other undisclosed health conditions, where employees might<\/p><ul><li>operate equipment or drive when they are not medically fit to do so<\/li><li>make critical decisions while experiencing cognitive symptoms<\/li><li>struggle silently until they reach a crisis point requiring extended leave.<\/li><\/ul><p>Our <em>Insta<\/em>-perfect, hustle culture can make an employee who is considering disclosing a health condition feel like they\u2019re taking a gamble \u2014 with their reputation, their promotion prospects, and even their livelihood.<\/p><p>Creating a workplace where stories of resiliency are shared, management leads with vulnerability, and humanity trumps hubris builds a place of work where people feel empowered to share experiences that shape their personal and professional lives.<\/p><p><strong><em>Did you know?<\/em><\/strong><\/p><p>Certain health conditions involve<\/p><ul><li>bodily functions deemed \u201cinappropriate\u201d for workplace discussion (the chronic diarrhea that may flare up due to inflammatory bowel disease can be debilitating, but it doesn\u2019t have to be shame-inducing, too)<\/li><li>symptoms that mimic those of other conditions (a low blood sugar episode experienced by someone with diabetes can look like intoxication)<\/li><li>associations with lifestyle factors that invite judgment.<\/li><\/ul><p>This stigma goes beyond individual harms. It creates systemic barriers to inclusion that rob organizations of valuable talents and perspectives.<\/p><p>And we all lose out.<\/p><p>Through living with a chronic condition, employees develop valuable workplace strengths. A daily reality of health challenges naturally builds problem-solving skills, self-advocacy, and adaptability \u2014 qualities that benefit the employee and their team.<sup><a class=\"footnote\" href=\"#5\">5<\/a>,<a class=\"footnote\" href=\"#6\">6<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-68636dd e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"68636dd\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7afc485 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7afc485\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"num-citations\">\n \t<li style=\"padding-bottom: 10px !important;\"><span id=\"3\">3. <\/span>\n\t\tHealthPartners Health Advisory Network survey, 2025\n\t<\/li>\n\n \t<li style=\"padding-bottom: 10px !important;\">\n\t\t<span id=\"4\">4. <\/span>\n\t\tCanadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction<\/span>.\n\t<\/li>\n \t\n\t<li style=\"padding-bottom: 10px !important;\">\n\t\t<span id=\"5\">5. <\/span>\n\t\t<a style=\"font-size: 10px; font-family: Verdana !important;\" href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC6117496\/#:~:text=A%20number%20of%20personal%20strengths,self%E2%80%90management%2C%20salutogenesis%2C%20empowerment\">Personal strengths reported by people with chronic illness:<\/a> \n\t\t<a style=\"font-size: 10px; font-family: Verdana !important;\" href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC7833082\/#:~:text=Interview%20data%20revealed%20the%20following,the%20patients%20in%20this%20sample.\">\n\t\t\tA Qualitative Exploration of Resilience among Patients Living with Chronic Pain\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/li> \t\n\t<li>\n\t\t<span id=\"6\">6. <\/span>\n\t\t<a style=\"font-size: 10px; font-family: Verdana !important;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=SZc1u0aMmmU\">\n\t\tNeurodiversity and long-term illness at work: What I wish all employers knew | TED-style talk<\/a>\n\t<\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bba4fd4 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"bba4fd4\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-549b9e7 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"549b9e7\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fd59ac1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"fd59ac1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.diabetes.ca\/about-diabetes-canada\/change-the-conversation-about-diabetes\" target=\"_blank\">Research done by Diabetes Canada paints a powerful picture: 86 per cent of people with type 1 and 69 per cent of people with type 2 have experienced blame and shame.<\/a><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-abde14a e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"abde14a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5de235a e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5de235a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f870ecf elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f870ecf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Doubling down: Mental health and chronic conditions <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-945ab86 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"945ab86\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The relationship between mental wellness and physical health works both ways. For example, people with depression have an increased risk of developing diabetes, while those with diabetes are two to three times more likely to experience depression.<sup><a class=\"footnote\" href=\"#7\">7<\/a><\/sup> Similar patterns exist across virtually all chronic conditions.<\/p><p>What does this mean in a workplace setting?<\/p><ul><li>Employees managing chronic conditions often experience anxiety, depression, or grief.<\/li><li>Extending both mental health and physical health accommodations yields powerful benefits.<\/li><\/ul><p><a href=\"#_ftnref1\" name=\"_ftn1\"><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bb42076 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"bb42076\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f31f7aa elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f31f7aa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">\"When someone feels hopeless or overwhelmed, it can affect everything from medication adherence to their willingness to consider treatment options.\"<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0ed6c95 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0ed6c95\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">\u2014 Elizabeth Myles, National Executive Director, The Kidney Foundation of Canada<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7c4e613 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7c4e613\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Research shows that people with adequate mental health support demonstrate<\/p><ul><li>better treatment adherence<\/li><li>improved physical outcomes.<sup><a class=\"footnote\" href=\"#8\">8<\/a><\/sup><\/li><\/ul><p>In a workplace setting, this may translate to reduced absenteeism, stronger performance, and greater retention.<\/p><p>Chronic conditions dramatically impact mental health, and mental health challenges often develop in people living with chronic conditions. Naturally, supporting the whole person yields better outcomes than addressing symptoms independently.<a href=\"#_ftnref1\" name=\"_ftn1\"><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-53e6857 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"53e6857\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"num-citations\">\n \t<li style=\"padding-bottom: 10px;\"><span id=\"7\">7. <\/span>\n<a style=\"font-size: 10px; font-family: Verdana !important;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/diabetes\/expert-answers\/diabetes-and-depression\/faq-20057904\">\nhttps:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/diabetes\/expert-answers\/diabetes-and-depression\/faq-20057904\n<\/a><\/li>\n \t<li><span id=\"8\">8. <\/span>\n<a style=\"font-size: 10px; font-family: Verdana !important;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sunlife.ca\/content\/dam\/sunlife\/regional\/canada\/documents\/gb\/chronic-disease-report-tl1094.pdf\">\nhttps:\/\/www.sunlife.ca\/content\/dam\/sunlife\/regional\/canada\/documents\/gb\/chronic-disease-report-tl1094.pdf<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-362d349 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"362d349\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5681ad9 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5681ad9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e5344c4 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"e5344c4\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f9c55d7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f9c55d7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">\u201cSuddenly you\u2019re faced with the harsh reality of your own mortality ... and shouldering the mental load of a now uncertain future. This often brings on feelings of anxiety, depression, and deep grief for the life you once envisioned.\u201d<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fa9d55c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"fa9d55c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">\u2014 Elizabeth Myles, National Executive Director, The Kidney Foundation of Canada<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f0a7ac3 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f0a7ac3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1ebb834 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"1ebb834\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<style>\nul.num-citations li{\n    list-style: none !Important;\n    font-size: 10px !Important;\n    padding-bottom: 5px;\n}\n\nul.num-citations li a{\n    font-family: Verdana !important;\n    font-size: 10px !Important;\n    font-weight: normal !Important;\n}\n\n.footnote{\n    font-size: 10px !important;\n}\n<\/style>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Understanding chronic conditions A fine balance People leaders navigate multiple responsibilities daily. The key to successful accommodation isn\u2019t choosing between employee needs and organizational goals, it\u2019s finding practical solutions that serve both. When we approach accommodation as collaborative problem-solving, we create win\u2013win scenarios that benefit everyone. Beyond \u201cseeing is believing\u201d Many health conditions don\u2019t announce&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":92384,"parent":96042,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"program":[],"program-area":[],"audience":[],"covid-hub-category":[],"health-canada":[],"class_list":["post-92199","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.3 (Yoast SEO v28.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Understanding Chronic Conditions - Mental Health Commission of Canada<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Understanding chronic conditions A fine balancePeople leaders navigate multiple responsibilities daily. 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