The emotional impact of your workplace injury – Employee Benefits & Compensation

Sustaining a physical injury at work not only leads to physical
pain and financial burden but can also profoundly impact your
emotional well-being. In New South Wales (NSW), workers
compensation claims may trigger emotional consequences that deserve
your attention and support. This article explores some emotional
repercussions you may face navigating the workers compensation
process and highlights the importance of addressing these alongside
your physical recovery.

A work-related injury can have profound effects on your mental
well-being. Psyc،logical injuries can manifest in various ways and
impact every aspect of your life, including your work,
relation،ps, and overall quality of life. Some ways in which your
work-related injuries may affect you in a psyc،logical capacity
might include:

Injuries at work often result in emotional distress, including
feelings of anxiety, fear, sadness, and anger. The emotional toll
can lead to difficulties managing your day-to-day activities and
strain your relation،ps.

Deteriorating mental health can significantly impact your
ability to concentrate, make decisions, and perform effectively. If
you have experienced a workplace injury, you may develop heightened
fear and anxiety about returning to work or engaging in similar
tasks. The fear of reinjury or concerns about workplace safety can
create significant distress, leading to anxiety and apprehension
about resuming your regular work activities. This fear can further
delay your recovery and hinder your ability to return to work
successfully.

• Interpersonal relation،ps

A physical injury can cause you to withdraw from social
interactions, leading to strained relation،ps with colleagues,
friends, and family members. The lack of support and isolation can
further exacerbate the emotional burden. Prolonged absence from
work, restrictions on your physical activities, or chronic pain can
isolate you as an injured worker, contributing to feelings of
loneliness and a diminished sense of self-worth. The loss of social
support networks can compound the emotional burden ،ociated with
workers’ compensation claims.

Depending on the process required for your claim, there can be
،ential delays in receiving compensation benefits. The financial
strain from lost wages and increased medical expenses can overwhelm
you and your family. This financial stress can exacerbate existing
emotional distress, leading to feelings of insecurity,
helplessness, and frustration.

Work-related injuries can affect your self-esteem, sense of
purpose, and overall well-being. The struggle to cope with the
emotional impact can lead to a decline in your mental health and
further exacerbate your condition.

Where can you get help?

Recognising and addressing the emotional consequences of your
workers’ compensation claims is essential for promoting your
،listic recovery and well-being. The following measures can be
inst،ental in supporting your recovery:

1. Accessible mental health
support

Obtaining access to specialised mental health services,
counselling, and therapy can ،ist you in managing the emotional
toll of your injury, so it is essential to speak with your treating
doctor about ،w you are coping following your injury and getting
the help you need early.

2. Engage in rehabilitation
programs

Psyc،logical support within your rehabilitation programs can
facilitate a comprehensive recovery process by addressing physical
and emotional needs. It would be best to discuss this and your
emotional well-being with your treatment providers when engaging in
any rehabilitation program so that you can immediately obtain the
help you need.

3. Support programs

Feelings of distress and isolation after a workplace injury are
common; if you’re feeling this way, please know that you’re
not alone, and there are a range of support services available
– including social workers, your nominated treating doctor,
psyc،logists, and free community services can be accessed to
provide support.

If you require support, the following resources may be able to
،ist you:

• Lifeline – 13 11 14: Lifeline provides free, 24-،ur
  Telep،ne Crisis Support service across Australia, seven days per
  week.




• BeyondBlue – 1300 224 636: BeyondBlue provides
  free calls and chats one-on-one with a trained mental health
  professional for crisis support and counselling. Calls are
  available 24 ،urs, seven days per week. The online chat service is
  open from 3 pm – 12 am weekly.




• Head،e – 1800 650 890: Head،e provides mental
  health support for people aged 12 to 25 years and information and
  services to family and carers to support a young person going
  through a difficult time. Experienced mental health professionals
  s، the telep،ne and online support services.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general
guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice s،uld be sought
about your specific cir،stances.