Affiliations: Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University
of Toronto, Toronto, Canada | Department of Psychiatry, the Schulich School of
Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario in London,
Ontario, Canada | Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of
Toronto, Toronto, Canada | Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of
Toronto, Toronto, Canada | Arthur Sommer Rotenberg Chair in Suicide Studies, St.
Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada | Toronto Transit Commission, Toronto, Canada
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Traumatic events often occur in workplace settings
and can lead to stress reactions such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
One such workplace is the transportation industry, where employees are often
exposed to trauma. However, extant research shows that a considerable
proportion of people with PTSD do not seek specialty mental health treatment. OBJECTIVE: In this qualitative study, we sought to better understand the
experience of a traumatic event at work and the barriers and motivating factors
for seeking mental health treatment. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-nine Toronto
Transit Commission (TTC) employees participated in a one-on-one interview, 18
soon after the traumatic event and 11 after entering a specialized treatment
program. METHODS: Semi-structured, one-on-one interviews were conducting
using qualitative description and analyzed using content analysis. RESULTS: Participants described emotional responses after the trauma such as
guilt, anger, disbelief as particularly difficult, and explained that barriers
to seeking help included the overwhelming amount and timing of paperwork
related to the incident as well as negative interactions with management.
Motivating factors included family and peer support, as well as financial and
emotional issues which persuaded some to seek help. CONCLUSIONS: Seeking treatment is a multifactorial process. Implications and recommendations for the
organization are discussed.
