Mental illnesses are among the most common health conditions affecting individuals in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 1 in 5 U.S. adults live with a mental illness. As pervasive as these circumstances are, there continues to be a lack of support from the workers’ compensation system for such cases. What needs to be done to extend workers’ compensation coverage to those affected by mental illness?

First, let’s take a look at mental health. When we refer to mental health, we are referring to the emotional, psychological, and social well-being of individuals. Mental health can be both positive or negative. Negative mental health, often called mental illness, comes in various forms such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. These conditions also vary in presentation, severity, and length.

Next, let’s examine how this impacts the ability to work. While no two cases are exactly alike, the overall consequences look similar. Long-term mental illness can negatively impact physical health by increasing the risk of conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. These impacts compound and affect an individual’s ability to work effectively and safely. 

As we addressed in a previous blog, the problem at hand is the intangible nature of mental health. Unlike physical health, there is no definitive test for mental illness. There is also no verifiable way to prove causation of origination in the workplace which greatly limits the application of workers’ compensation to the situation.

In many cases, the connection between work and mental illness is largely indirect. In the cases where direct correlation exists, such as first-responders with on-the-job-related PTSD, strides are being made to provide appropriate workers’ compensation. In Georgia, however, these attempts at policy changes have fallen short of ratification.

As a workers’ compensation attorney, I understand the crucial role mental health plays in the workplace. While we are ultimately beholden to the current system which makes receiving coverage for mental illness next-to-impossible, I believe all workers deserve healthy, safe, and accommodating workplaces that provide care and compensation in times of mental or physical strife. If you are experiencing declining mental health or worsening physical injuries due to a workplace incident, contact Poirier Law Firm. I am here to fight for workers’ rights, both visible and invisible.