This website is designed to provide information and resources to support healthcare workers and their employers with Operational Stress Injuries (OSI) and PTSD prevention, intervention and recovery and return to work.
When it comes to OSI and PTSD, there are two levels of prevention for workers: primary and secondary.
Primary prevention is about preventing injury or illness before it occurs. Here, we share information to help you to recognize signs and symptoms and take care of yourself. Secondary prevention attempts to intervene before the injury or illness fully develops in an effort to limit the severity.
Ontario’s Presumptive Legislation
Ontario has presumptive legislation called Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in First Responders and Other Designated Workers. This legislation applies to nurses who directly provide patient care. Under this legislation, if you are a worker who directly provides patient care and are diagnosed with PTSD, while also meeting specific employment and diagnostic criteria, the PTSD is presumed (or thought) to have occurred as a result of their work unless the contrary is shown.
While this website focuses on PTSD, it is essential to note that there are other Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) policies which cover chronic mental stress and traumatic mental stress. Learn more about these policies below:
