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The long-term psychological impacts of workplace injuries

On Behalf of | Jul 25, 2024 | Workers' Compensation

Workplace injuries can hurt an employee’s mental health long after their physical injuries have healed. Understanding these effects and how workers’ compensation can help with mental health treatment is key to helping employees recover and keeping the workplace healthy.

Psychological impacts of workplace injuries

Getting hurt at work can cause significant mental stress. Employees might suffer from PTSD, anxiety, or depression. These problems can come from the accident itself or from changes afterward, like not being able to work or constant pain. These issues can make it hard for someone to return to work fully and can lower their quality of life.

Workers’ compensation and mental health

Workers’ compensation usually covers physical injuries, but it’s just as important to take care of mental health. Often, workers’ comp will also pay for mental health services if they’re needed because of the injury. This could mean therapy, medicine for mental health, and counseling, all of which are crucial for a good recovery.

Challenges in accessing mental health benefits

Even though these benefits are available, actually getting them can be hard. Employees might have to prove that their mental health issues are really because of their workplace injury. They might also find that the claims process is complicated. Plus, there’s sometimes a stigma about talking about mental health problems, which could stop someone from asking for help.

The importance of supportive policies

Having a supportive workplace is very important. Employers need to make sure their workers’ comp plans cover mental health well. They should also create a work environment that cares about mental health. This means educating everyone and supporting employees who need mental health help.

Ensuring a productive and healthy workplace

By dealing with the mental effects of workplace injuries properly, workers’ compensation not only helps employees heal but also makes the whole workplace healthier and more productive.