A commentary. Dr. Diane McIntosh is a psychiatrist, author and clinical assistant professor at the University of British Columbia and is chief neuroscience officer for Telus. Dr. Tatiana Gregoryanz is a psychiatrist with Island Health, psychiatric director at OptiMind Clinic and an affiliate clinical instructor at the University of British Columbia.

Chronic insomnia is a daily struggle for hundreds of thousands of people in B.C. Medically, it is a brain disorder that can significantly impact mental and physical health, increasing the risks of heart disease, obesity, depression, anxiety and suicide.

Our communities and our economy rely on a healthy, productive workforce, yet chronic insomnia quietly weakens productivity, prosperity and social connection.

Up to 15 per cent of Canadian adults suffer from chronic insomnia, which is linked to an increase in long-term work disability by 40 to 75 per cent.

The costs include lost productivity, safety risks and extra expenses in every sector.

Despite its prevalence, concerns remain within the mental health community about limited access to effective treatment options for individuals covered by our public drug........

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