The Resilient Minds Program in Fire Departments

Canadian Mental Health Association, Prince Edward Island, Canadian Mental Health Association, British Columbia, Canadian Mental Health Association, Vancouver-Fraser, Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services, Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, University of Western Ontario, Canada

The purpose of the study is to assess the impact of a mental health training program in volunteer and career firefighters.

THE PROBLEM: Firefighters are frequently exposed to distressing events, or critical incidents such as motor vehicle accidents, burnt bodies, failed rescue attempts, threats to one's own life, and completed suicides that can trigger posttraumatic stress reactions. Previous research show that first responders and other public safety personnel report frequent exposure to traumatic events and are at increased risk for mental health illnesses. THE STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of a mental health training program in volunteer and career firefighters. THE STUDY SAMPLE: 600 firefighters: 300 Prince Edward Island volunteer or career firefighters, 300 Vancouver career firefighters INTERVENTION: Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services and the Canadian Mental Health Association-Vancouver Fraser co-developed a new program called, "Resilient Minds-Building the Psychological Health of Fire Fighters." The Resilient Minds training will educate firefighters about the effects of trauma, how to recognize signs of mental health illness and how to access support after critical events. It also trains firefighters to recognize mental health and addictions in co-workers and how to facilitate their help-seeking. OUTCOMES: The impact of the program will be assessed by pre- and post-program surveys, 3-month, 6-month, 12-month follow-up surveys.

Four comprehensive, skill-building learning modules in the areas of psychological trauma, mental health problems, resiliency and workplace stress.

The program is designed: 1) to decrease the risk of developing a stress disorder or other mental illnesses due to workplace incidents and/or unhealthy stress; 2) to mitigate the negative impacts of mental illness and trauma through early recognition and early intervention; 3) to support the public while on the frontline; and 4) to improve the psychological health of fire staff while cultivating resilience and enhancing quality of life.

Survey on mental health knowledge (unit of measure = 5-point Likert Scale, "Agree Strongly" to "Disagree Strongly")

Survey on retention of program material (unit of measure = 5-point Likert scale, "Not much" to "A Lot")

Survey on factors that contribute to work stress (unit of measure = 5-point Likert scale, "Not at all" to "A Lot")

Survey on program's impacts on peer supports and organizational culture (unit of measure = 5-point Likert scale, "No, it seems less supportive" to "Yes, it seems quite a bit more supportive")

Survey on self-perceived learning about psychological trauma and/or mental health challenges (unit of measure = 4-point Likert scale, "Very true" to "Not true")

Survey on intent and actual usage of information or skills learned from program (unit of measure = Yes or No response)

Survey on exposures to difficult or stressful things (unit of measure = ratings of frequency and impact on life)

Survey on mental resiliency (unit of measure = 5-point Likert scale, "Strongly Agree" to "Strongly Disagree")

Inclusion Criteria: 18 years and older can read, understand, speak English career or volunteer firefighters in PEI participating in Resilient Minds program