MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS

A car crash or serious slip and fall is life changing. It's no exaggeration. It impacts everything. After emergency care, a survivor is faced with the reality that every little thing is different. And those mundane little day to day tasks that we take for granted like taking a shower, dressing and even toileting are suddenly huge challenges. It's no wonder that a survivor's mental health suffers right along with that broken body. Grieving the death of your old life is real. It's allowed. No one needs to ask permission to feel that loss.

Feelings of helplessness, despair and depression happen.

There is no minimizing the pain, loss, depression and fear caused by the negligence of others.

But you are not alone. You don't have to suffer in silence. There is support.

Community and online lifelines exist. Professional support is also available.

Everyone is unique and there is no one size fits all solution. Your plan should be as individual as you are and include resources that are most helpful for you.

Potential resources may include:

• Your Community: your family doctor will have been copied with your emergency room care records and should be up to speed with your injuries. Let her do the best job possible by reaching out and letting your care team know you are struggling. Your doctor should know what local community resources are available in your area. Ask your family doctor for a referral to a therapist and ask about community resources unique to your area. Funding for therapy may be available through your Ontario Statutory Accident Benefits (SABs) with your own car insurance policy. Always be cautious and think hard before unbundling your car insurance. The cheapest policy possible will never meet your care needs after a serious car crash. Ask your insurance broker how much those additional benefits are. You may be shocked to discover the extra cost is so very small compared to the cost of doing with very little after a crash;

• Go Online: check in with friends, family and social media to find reputable web groups led by crash or fall survivors who know and understand what you're going through. Popular social media sites also have established support groups even for unique and complicated injuries. If you've got a specific fracture, you can bet Facebook has a group for that. Take it at your pace. Test the waters. They understand; and
   
• Lean on Your Lawyer: keep your lawyer up to date. Let her know what's happening. Not only does it help your case, her office likely has links to  additional resources that, when guided by your family doctor's advice and assistance, can lead to some real practical results.

Experienced injury lawyers know that crash survivors suffer from many injuries including emotional loss. Mental health doesn't just matter. It's essential.

Call Martin Law and find out what we can do to help.