Legislation introduced aimed at helping first responders suffering from PTSD
Posted Oct 2, 2014 06:49:45 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
NDP MLA Dave Wilson said first responders with post-traumatic stress disorder — or PTSD — are falling through the cracks of Nova Scotia’s Workers Compensation Board.
On Wednesday, Wilson introduced legislation aimed at making it easier for first responders with PTSD to get access to care and resources.
The problem now, he said, is that Worker’s Compensation only recognizes cases of PTSD when the person affected can pinpoint one specific event that caused their trauma.
Many police officers, firefighters and paramedics get PTSD gradually over years of stress and traumas.
Sarah Brown is one of those paramedics.
“It’s still a daily struggle for me,” she said. “It’s just about how you cope with it.”
Brown wouldn’t say whether or not she has a pending Worker’s Compensation claim, but she’s glad someone is taking note of this issue.
“It’s good to finally have that little bit of backing support,” said Brown. “We don’t care where it comes from, so long as somebody finally steps up and give us a voice.”
Wilson is on the same page.
He said he’ll work with both sides of the legislature to make this happen.
His number-one priority, he said, is “to ensure that the men and women who are serving Nova Scotians are protected, and that we support them in their time of need.”
If one person gets help from this, he said, it’ll be worth it.
