I am writing this petition from a place of personal pain and urgency. I was robbed at gunpoint, forced to the floor execution style, and had a gun to my head. This horrifying experience left me with deep psychological scars that have profoundly affected my ability to function at work and in daily life.

Despite the severe mental trauma I endured, I was informed that Ohio's Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) does not recognize psychological trauma as a compensable injury. This meant I had to take a leave of absence without the support I desperately needed from workers' compensation. Mental health is just as vital as physical health, and it's time our systems acknowledge that trauma is not always visible but is very real.

Ohio's current policy on workers' compensation is outdated and negligent of the mental health challenges faced by workers who have undergone traumatic experiences. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects approximately 3.5% of U.S. adults every year. Ignoring the mental health of workers not only leads to prolonged suffering but also impacts workplace productivity and safety.

We are calling on the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation to extend coverage to include psychological injuries like PTSD and acute stress disorder. Other states like California and New York have recognized the importance of mental health in the workplace and have expanded their workers' compensation coverage to include psychological injuries. Ohio must follow suit, ensuring comprehensive care for all workers.

By acknowledging and compensating for psychological trauma, we can create safer work environments and offer vital support for workers dealing with their mental health. This change will provide employees with the resources they need to recover and return to work healthy and whole.

Please join me in urging the Ohio BWC to modernize its workers' compensation policies. Sign this petition to help bring about this necessary change for the workers of Ohio who have suffered in silence for too long. Together, we can make a difference.