Mental health claims by WA public servants soar 23 per cent off rising complaints of harassment and trauma

Mental health claims by WA public servants have soared alarmingly, despite efforts by State Government departments to improve working conditions.

The State insurer’s annual report reveals that mental health compensation claims by Government workers leapt an extraordinary 23.4 per cent last financial year to a record 882, with more claimants complaining of workplace harassment or trauma.

That’s after a 16 per cent increase the year earlier.

The Insurance Commission of WA said while claims for “work pressure” rose 14 per cent to 250 in the 12 months to June 30, they were overtaken by claims for “exposure to a traumatic event”, which jumped 35 per cent to 280.

Harassment claims were 34 per cent up at 224 and claims for exposure to workplace violence 31 per cent higher at 68.

More to come