October 10th is World Mental Health Day; a reminder that not all injuries are visible. As personal injury lawyers, we recognize broken bones and physical scars when people come to see us after an accident. But just as real, and sometimes harder to name, are the mental health impacts that follow.
Depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and sleep disturbances are injuries too. Unlike a cast or sling, they don’t announce themselves to the world, yet they can quietly permeate every aspect of wellbeing—your ability to work, your relationships, even the joy you take in daily life and relationships.
Because they’re “unseen”, these struggles often go without the attention and support they deserve. Too many people try to “push through” rather than reach out. However, mental health recovery is every bit as vital as physical healing and no less relevant to your personal injury claim. Emotional and psychological harm can and should be considered as a compensable part of a personal injury claim.
On this World Mental Health Day, we encourage anyone living with the emotional aftermath of an accident—or any trauma—to take steps toward care:
- Speak with your doctor or a mental health professional to begin treatment.
- Reach out to your support network: family, friends, or community resources.
- Document your struggles: keeping notes or reports can help both your recovery and your claim.
- Remember you are not alone: millions of people struggle with invisible injuries, and seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
True recovery means more than mending the body. It means restoring balance to every part of your wellbeing: physical, emotional, and psychological.
If you or someone you love is struggling with the mental health impacts of an accident, we’re here to listen and to help. Our team is committed to ensuring that invisible injuries are given the recognition they deserve, both in recovery and in the claims process.