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WHEREAS, Post-Traumatic Stress Injury (PTSI) is a post-traumatic stress disorder characterized by exposure to a traumatic event as identified by the American Psychiatric Association and documented in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition; and
WHEREAS, a 2018 study published by the Ruderman Family Foundation titled "Mental Health and Suicide of First Responders" noted that "constant exposure to death and destruction exerts a toll on the mental health of first responders, and yet many do not disclose mental health issues nor do they access treatment;" and
WHEREAS, that same study concluded the following: "First responders experience trauma as a regular part of their job. Perhaps not surprisingly, when compared to members of the civilian population, they experience heightened levels of depression, PTSD, suicidal thoughts, and more. First responders are more likely to die by suicide than to die within the line of duty. There is hardly any media attention devoted to this issue, contributing to a pervasive silence, shame, and stigma. These factors make it more difficult for first responders to access potentially life-saving mental health services;" and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania House Bill No. 432 of 2019 (H.B. 432) would amend the Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation Law so as to include PTSI as an "occupational disease" that may arise as a result of a professional and volunteer firefighter, volunteer ambulance corps personnel, volunteer rescue and lifesaving squad personnel, emergency medical services personnel and paramedics, telecommunicator, corrections officer, or a Pennsylvania State Police officer's service; and
WHEREAS, if enacted, H.B. 432's provisions would entitle those first responders to benefits under the Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation Law for the psychological trauma suffered in the line of duty or after four years or more of service, irrespective of whether or not a first respo...
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