Psychological Injury
People can experience both physical and psychological injuries at work. A psychological injury can happen after a sudden traumatic event or build over time from serious stressors at work. WCB covers 3 types of psychological injury. For eligible workplace injuries, WCB is here to provide treatment, financial support, and assistance that allows you to keep working, or go back to work if time away is needed.
The 3 types of psychological injuries WCB covers
Gradual onset psychological injury (GPI)
A gradual onset psychological injury (GPI) is caused by repeated, significant stressors at work—most often ongoing bullying or harassment. Feeling stressed about things like missing deadlines, difficult tasks, or not getting along with a co-worker is normal—and not usually covered by WCB.
Example: Over several months, you’re mocked, berated, and threatened, by your coworkers. You begin to experience anxiety, sleep problems, or other symptoms that interfere with your life.
Learn more about gradual onset psychological injury.
Traumatic Psychological Injury (TPI)
A traumatic psychological injury most often results from 1 sudden, traumatic event at work involving a threat of serious harm or an overwhelming experience.
Example: You witness a fatal incident at work and later have flashbacks and panic attacks.
Learn more about traumatic psychological injury.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in first responders
PTSD is a medical diagnosis that can result from 1 traumatic event or repeated exposure to traumatic events. Only a psychologist or psychiatrist can make a PTSD diagnosis for your claim. For first responders with a PTSD diagnosis, the law presumes the injury is work-related. This applies to police officers, firefighters (both paid and volunteer), paramedics, nurses, correctional officers, continuing care assistants, emergency response dispatchers, and sheriffs.
Example: After repeated exposure to traumatic events at work, you’re diagnosed with PTSD.
Learn more about PTSD in first responders.
How to tell the difference at a glance
- If your symptoms built up over time from repeated harmful behaviour, like bullying and harassment you may have a GPI.
- If your symptoms began after 1 traumatic workplace event, you may have a TPI.
- PTSD is a specific diagnosis that can come from one traumatic event or repeated exposure to traumatic events.
Next steps and support
Psychological injury self-assessment
Use our self-assessment tool to find out if your situation may be covered.
Opening a claim
Learn about opening a claim for psychological injury.
After your claim is opened
Learn about what happens next after a claim has been opened—including how a claim is decided.
Return-to-work support
Work is a critical part of recovery from any mental health issue or psychological injury. WCB is here to support you, your employer, and your health care provider every step of the way.
Workplace psychological safety resources
Explore helpful tools for navigating and preventing workplace psychological injuries.
Connect with support and resources for first responders.