State board looks at coroner mental health needs

By Michael Williamson, Richwood Gazette

The Ohio State Coroner’s Association is moving to take a closer look at the mental health of death investigators statewide, something Union County Coroner Dr. David Applegate says is sorely needed.

During the recent annual meeting of the state board, those in attendance heard from a couple of speakers addressing the issue of declining mental health in those who work in that field. Included in that presentation was that nearly 13% of coroners, deputy coroners, pathologists and coroner investigators had thought about suicide in the last 3-4 months.

Applegate, who is a member of the OSCA, said it was an informal survey of those in the profession, but even tha…

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