WorkCover Tasmania board member Dr Rob Walters told the PTSD Mental Health Matters conference in Hobart that the state average for all other workplace injury claims was $15,980 per claim.

"Over the last 10 years, there have been 206 reported claims made for PTSD injuries, costing the state $18.97 million dollars in compensation and 32,973 days of work lost," Dr Walters said.

"In 2008, mental health conditions made up just 4.3 per cent of all workplace injuries in Tasmania.

"Ten years later, 659 mental conditions were reported, making up 8.5 per cent of workplace injuries reported in Tasmania in 2018."

Dr Walters said the economic and social cost of PTSD was significant and one of the keys for people to recover was knowing they would receive support.

"In the old days people had a debrief and that was it - but is important for people to know they are supported by their colleagues and bosses," he said. "They have to be able to talk."

Professor Zachary Steel, St John of God chair of trauma and mental health at the University of New South Wales said he treated emergency services personnel and military veterans and said many of them did not recognise they had acquired a psychological injury.

'It is often seen at home, not at work," Professor Steel said.

"We are encountering a lot more and that is because they don't have that down time and that is translating to higher injury rates.

"It's not the job that causes PTSD but the events that people encounter. The quantity and severity has increased.

"People think people are not as strong or tough now as in the past but the level of exposure is more rapid and high paced."

Professor Steel said it was vital people got help for PTSD early and that many people who were "tough" had long careers in the military or emergency services.

"Just like some elite athletes push their bodies and while some get injuries others don't," he said.

Dave Holland of Melbourne had an horrific workplace injury 14 years ago and highlighted resilience in recovery.

Mr Holland broke his neck in three places, had to peel his scalp from his head and was in hospital for 12 months after the accident which saw him die but revived by paramedics.

"I've changed completely," he said. He is single with no money and no job and says his PTSD is "always there" with difficulty sleeping and having to "lean on anti-depressants".

"Everybody can get it - one car accident driving the kids to school could change your life," Mr Holland said.

"PTSD is not a mark against you, it's not going to destroy your whole life - it just changes the way you think."

Mr Holland said people with PTSD could become leaders and observed the world around them more closely.

"All mental disturbances face stigma," he said. But you need to get help - if you step up and ask help them don't care what anyone says - that's strength," he said.

"Resilience is going to your doctor and saying you're not right, you're stressed, you're angry and can't sleep that's the most important step."

The conference continues in Launceston on Tuesday.