The Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Edition: August 2021
What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is a serious and potentially debilitating condition that can occur after experiencing a traumatic event. It can devastate families and compromise a person’s ability to function in daily life and at work.
Symptoms can take months or years to develop, may vary over time, and differ from person to person.
For more information on symptoms and treatment, check out NIH’s publication on PTSD.
DID YOU KNOW?
7-8% OF THE AMERICAN POPULATION WILL DEVELOP PTSD AT SOME POINT IN THEIR LIVES. ABOUT 8 MILLION ADULTS HAVE PTSD DURING A GIVEN YEAR.
Source: National Center for PTSD
GET INFORMED
PTSD + WORK LIFE
Consequences of PTSD extend far beyond the mind. Conflicts at work often relate to:
- Work absenteeism
- Frequent medical visits
- Unemployment or underemployment
- Lower hourly pay
- Difficulty meeting work-related demands
WORK CULTURE + MENTAL HEALTH
Mental health is closely linked to occupation
The American Institute of Stress (AIS) recently indicated that approximately 66% of people’s stressors are related to their jobs.
High stress can increase the risk of PTSD, anxiety, depression, as well as mood and sleep disturbances.
Learn more about what employers can do to reduce workplace stress by downloading CSEA’s latest fact sheet on Workplace Stress.
COVID-19 PANDEMIC PTSD
Unlike other causes of PTSD, the COVID-19 pandemic has been a prolonged and escalating series of events that impacted all workers.
Many CSEA members endured abnormal levels of stress and trauma daily due to their working conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Union members in Health Care, Human Services, and Direct Care Services were among the most affected during the pandemic and are at highest risk for developing work-related PTSD.
EXPOSURE TO WORKPLACE TRAUMA + PTSD
Education and public infrastructure workers are at high risk for experiencing work-related PTSD, whether it be from occurrences of workplace violence, accidents on the job, or witnessing scenes of devastation.
PTSD HAS BEEN ESTIMATED TO OCCUR IN 32% OF FIRST RESPONDERS,
INCLUDING 19% OF POLICE OFFICERS.
Source: American Institute of Stress
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
Know Your Rights + Resources
WORKERS’ COMPENSATION
Psychological injuries only qualify for workers’ compensation benefits in New York if they arise from abnormal stress and unprotected employer actions.
In some cases, by the time PTSD symptoms develop, the statute of limitations for filing a workers’ compensation claim may run out.
What to do if you think you may be entitled to benefits under the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board:
Contact Fine, Olin & Anderman, LLP (FOA)
at (855) 693-8179 or visit www.foalaw.com
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SAVE THE DATE
The 2022 Statewide Conference on Occupational Safety & Health will be held March 31, 2022 – April 2, 2022 in Saratoga Springs, NY!
NEW FACT SHEETS
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Don’t forget: tick season is among us! Check out our fact sheet for more information.
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The Safety Net is published as a monthly publication by the Occupational Safety and Health Department of CSEA, AFSCME, Local 1000, AFL-CIO. |