New Reports Reveal Alarming Link Between Suicide in The Workplace & Traumatic Brain Injuries
New reports released by several federal agencies in early March revealed startling new statistics and links between suicide, the workplace, and traumatic brain injuries. Not only is suicide now reportedly the leading cause of death linked to traumatic brain injuries (followed by auto accidents and falls), but there has been a significant increase in the rate of suicides committed in the workplace, indicating that more attention and responsibility arguably needs to be assigned to employers in working to address mental health and other issues in the workplace and more weight in general needs to be given to traumatic brain injuries, which are sometimes brushed off simply as “headaches” instead of being taken seriously.
Statistics Show That Employers Are Not Doing Enough to Prevent Suicide in The Workplace
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there has been an 11 percent increase in the rate of suicides in the workplace and, given the growing demands on today’s employees, this isn’t entirely a surprise. What is perhaps more of a surprise is the number of employers who are failing to appreciate their role in the issue and what they should be doing to prevent employees from committing suicide in the workplace.
Employers are even more of a front-line defense for employees who may be at risk due to debilitating mental health conditions than even healthcare providers, but may not be taking the right steps to provide the right help to these employees. According to research, evidence-based therapies, such as behavioral activation, cognitive behavioral therapy, and interpersonal psychotherapy have proven to reduce suicidal ideation. Still, a number of major health insurance providers that employers use fail to provide this type of care and, in fact, a number of therapies that are offered have been identified by researchers as potentially harming those in need. Researchers have also suggested that employers extend mental health benefits to employees’ dependents as well.
Studies Reveals That Suicide Is the Number One Cause of Death Linked to Traumatic Brain Injuries & Fall-Related Deaths Are On the Rise
In addition, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide is also now the leading cause of death linked to traumatic brain injuries, followed by auto accidents, falls, and homicides. In 2017, there were more than 60,000 deaths linked to traumatic brain injuries, and almost half were caused by suicide. This has significant implications for accidents that lead to traumatic brain injuries, as any damages assessed against a party responsible for causing or contributing to a traumatic brain injury, as a result, must take this potentially devastating propensity into account.
In addition, deaths related to traumatic brain injuries that occur from unintentional falls are increasing, especially for males who are age 75 and older living in rural communities and small cities. According to the report, one out of 10 adults 18 and older report falling every year. As a result, the researchers behind the report recommended that healthcare providers take it upon themselves to educate patients on how to best prevent falls and traumatic brain injuries.
If You or A Loved One Has Been Hurt, Contact Our Texas Personal Injury Attorneys
If you have suffered from a personal injury here in Texas – whether due to an auto accident, fall, workplace injury, or other cause – contact our experienced Houston workplace injury attorneys at The West Law Office today to find out how we can help.
Resources:
usnews.com/news/healthiest-communities/articles/2020-03-05/fall-related-traumatic-brain-injury-deaths-increasing-in-us-study-finds
natlawreview.com/article/cdc-reports-suicide-top-cause-death-tied-to-traumatic-brain-injury
washingtonpost.com/health/2020/01/09/more-americans-are-killing-themselves-work/
