This image is from a campaign currently being run by the Yukon Workers’ Compensation Health and Safety Board.
All Yukoners are covered
First, the most important piece of information that every Yukoner needs to know:
All workers covered by the Yukon Workers’ Compensation Health and Safety Board are eligible for benefits, including treatment, if they suffer a professionally diagnosed psychological injury such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at work.
If you are experiencing symptoms that could indicate a psychological injury as a result of events in your workplace, we encourage you to submit a claim. The Yukon Workers’ Compensation Health and Safety Board is currently running an important campaign to raise awareness. Learn more here.
Do not suffer in silence. Do not suffer alone. Help is available for you.
Why this Bill?
At the heart of this bill is the desire to help people who spend their careers helping others.
This bill acknowledges that for emergency response workers, trauma is a regular part of their job. This bill will also work to increase prevention. Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental health condition that can result from exposure to serious trauma, ranging from a single experience to prolonged, ongoing exposure. PTSD can occur soon after a triggering event, or it can be delayed by days, months or even years. It can have devastating impacts on injured workers, their families and communities.
It’s important that Yukoners know they can get help, and that it is covered. This Bill fulfills an important commitment of our caucus, and is an important part of the mandate letter given to the Minister responsible for the Workers’ Compensation Health and Safety Board, Jeanie Dendys.
What does the bill change?
This bill has two parts:
- Part 1 proposes amendments to the Workers’ Compensation Act to provide the promised PTSD presumption for emergency response workers.
Why this is important
The changes proposed will ensure that if an emergency response worker is diagnosed with PTSD, they will not need to verify that the injury is work-related, as that would be presumed. It’s time to work to reduce the stigma around PTSD, and encourage workers who may be struggling to seek the help they need.
- Part 2 proposes amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act to permit the creation of regulations aimed at preventing psychological injuries, including PTSD.
Why this is important
The Yukon Workers’ Compensation Health and Safety Board heard from the public that more emphasis should be placed on preventing psychological injury in the workplace. This bill will ensure that the prevention of physical and psychological injuries are given equal emphasis in the workplace.
