# @thekansascitystar on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CvIuXXHLRTO
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/18810355-thekansascitystar-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/78d02dc942.jpg
- **Posted:** 2023-07-25T22:00:04.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Kansas City Star (@thekansascitystar) — https://gondola.cc/thekansascitystar

## Caption

Content warning: This story and post contain details about suicide. If you or someone you know is at risk of self-harm, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24-hour support at 988.

At his lowest point, Mike Lewis was keenly aware that it would be cheaper to spend 97 cents on a bullet than it would be to spend $150 an hour on therapy for his post traumatic stress.

The Butler County paramedic has been haunted since October 2013 when he was on a reserve EMS team and responded to a call from his father the night his mother died. Then in 2020, on the anniversary of his mother’s death, a 6-month-old infant died in his arms on a call.

On Christmas of 2021, he attempted suicide, but his gun didn’t go off.

Lewis didn’t see treatment as an option. His employee benefits would cover six therapy visits per year, not nearly enough to help him manage a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation. After the six visits were used, any future visits would come out of pocket. A father of three, he couldn’t afford that.

Next month, a law will go into effect in Missouri making it clear that first responders are eligible to claim workers’ compensation for post-traumatic stress disorder incurred as a result of their work. 

But in Kansas, lawmakers have essentially ignored for three years a bill to expand that coverage. If Lewis is physically injured on the job, his care is covered, including any mental health care needs — but psychological injuries alone don’t count. 

Read the full story at the link in our bio. 

#Kansas #FirstResponders #PTSD #WorkersComp #Missouri

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 204
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 4

## Tags

ptsd, workerscomp, firstresponders, missouri, kansas

---
Copyright (c) Gondola