The Ruderman Family Foundation commissioned a paper in which it was found that police and firefighters are more likely to die by suicide than in other lines of work. The paper was published in 2018, but even recent analysis seems to suggest the situation has not greatly improved.
The many atrocities police and fireman can face recurrently are the major factors that can cause them to develop mental health issues, which increases their risk of suicide. This one of the biggest reasons why workers compensation must be made more accessible for mental health issues.
What Leads to Suicide?
The reasons why a person may want to take their life can be complex, but in the case of firefighters and police, many experts agree the nature of their work is a common factor. High-levels of stress, witnessing gruesome events, and stigma regarding mental health can also contribute greatly to the situation.
But even if an officer or a firefighter manages to push through all the factors that may prevent them from asking for health, it doesn’t mean workers compensation is guaranteed. Unfortunately, the matters are a bit more complicated than that.
What Can Go Wrong?
In Missouri, workers' compensation laws do also cover mental health services. The state recognizes that emotional and mental issues developed as a result of a person’s work are just as eligible for compensation as physical injuries, so at least from the perspective of the law, there is not much push here.
However, it may be difficult to have a claim for workers comp approved if the injury or illness in question is depression, PTSD, anxiety, or another mental health issue. And the reason why is that workers comp laws apply solely to work-related injuries and diseases. When there is a physical injury, in particular, it is a lot easier to establish this link.
However, in the case of mental health problems, this connection may be more difficult to show. If an officer or firefighter was exposed to a critical situation, an argument can be made that them witnessing it has lead to the mental disorder. But the mind is very complex, and not everyone will show signs of mental troubles immediately after a traumatic event. It can take years until any symptoms are noticed, which may make it even more difficult to prove the condition is work-related.
Abandon All Hope?
Not at all. First of all, there is no guarantee that it will be difficult to access workers comp benefits for mental health issues. However, even if the insurance company does not reimburse the costs of your treatments without any problems, you still have options. Reach out to a St. Louis workers compensation lawyer who can help you build a case and prove your issue is work-related.