Sudbury paramedics travel to Queen's Park to push for PTSD benefits
'We see some pretty horrible things ... and we are looking for maybe a little bit of assistance'
A group of paramedics from around Ontario are at Queen's Park today to push for benefits for emergency responders dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder.
They'll be meeting with MPPs from all three political parties in support of Bill 2, a private member's bill introduced by NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo, the Canadian Union of Public Employees said.
The legislation would make it easier for emergency responders affected by acute and chronic exposure to traumatic events to receive benefits under the Workplace Safety Insurance Act.
"We see some pretty horrible things, and from time to time, we are looking for maybe a little bit of assistance to get the gold standard help should the need arise," said Rick Sasseville, a Sudbury paramedic and representative with Canadian Union of Public Employees local 4705.
"As it stands now, paramedics often deal with the effects of trauma on their own. Many feel abandoned. It's important that PTSD is considered a work-related injury."
Sasseville was set to meet on Tuesday with Sudbury-area MPPs to ask them to support the bill.
Changing the legislation could also take away some of the stigma associated with PTSD, Sasseville said.