More workers will receive easier access to mental-health supports

June 20, 2024

More workers from select occupations will be provided with easier access to workers’ compensation for psychological injuries caused by work-related trauma.

Effective Monday, June 10, 2024, 11 new occupations added to the mental-health presumption under the Workers Compensation Act include community-integration specialists, coroners, harm-reduction workers, parole officers, probation officers, respiratory therapists, shelter workers, social workers, transition house workers, victim service workers and withdrawal-management workers. These join occupations, such as first responders, already covered under the presumption.

The mental-health presumption fast tracks the claims process with WorkSafeBC and provides workers faster access to treatment and workers’ compensation benefits once a formal diagnosis of the psychological injury has been made. These changes will help ensure the workers who are counted on to care for others also receive the support they need.

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