Liberals should expand PTSD coverage to frontline child protection workers

Halifax -- The NDP has tabled legislation that would expand presumptive coverage for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) under Workers’ Compensation to include frontline child protection workers in Nova Scotia. It was the NDP Caucus that first recommended PTSD coverage be presumptive for first responders. The NDP bill expands the list of people who qualify.

“We have hundreds of frontline workers who are struggling with mental health issues because of their work. We should be supporting them however we can,” said NDP Labour spokesperson Kendra Coombes. “Social workers and other child protection workers are engaging with people on some of their worst days. Just as we’ve acknowledged the toll that takes on other first responders, we should make sure child protection staff have access to coverage too.”

Social workers in child protection faced a record level of burnout in 2017 when information was gathered. Short-term illness hours increased by nearly 10,000 hours over four years, going from 16,513 in the 2013-14 fiscal year to 26,105 in 2016-17.

“We know that with the changes to the Children and Family Services Act, with no new resources for staff, have led to more stress and burnout for frontline workers,” said Alec Stratford, Executive Director of the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers. “These conditions are leading to serious recruitment and retention issues for Community Services child protection workers and we need to provide more support to those who are dealing with trauma on a daily basis.”

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