Online mental-health support program launched to assist first responders
U of R psychology prof heads initiative that gives confidential help at all hours
Firefighters, police, EMS and other first responders now have access to an online service to help get them mental health treatment whenever they need it.
Called PSPNET, the program provides education and guidance to public safety personnel for managing depression, anxiety and post-traumatic injuries.
It was officially launched at the University of Regina on Tuesday.
PSPNET is geared toward first-responders, and is provided free.
Clients complete online lessons over eight weeks, and also get therapist support over secure text messages or by phone. The program received $10 million in federal funding through the Action Plan on Post-traumatic Stress Injuries.
It’s headed by U of R psychology professor Dr. Heather Hadjistavropoulos,
who will lead a team of clinicians providing cognitive behavioural therapy to first responders through PSPNET.
Hadjistavropoulos said studies have been done that show online treatment can be just as effective as face-to-face care.
“What we know from my past research is when clients finish, it’s actually like about 95 per cent of people that would say, ‘Oh, I’d refer a friend to that, and that was worth my time,’” said Hadjistavropoulos.
Some of the challenges first responders have accessing mental health treatment include working in rural and remote communities, which often have limited access to therapists with the proper training to treat people in their profession.
There’s also the stigma around mental health.
“Especially in my industry, which is definitely male oriented, I think pride … would weigh very heavily, and actually saying that ‘I need some help’.
“Where this is a little more confidential, I think that’s massive,” said Chad Wolbaum, an acting captain with Regina Fire & Protective Services.
Wolbaum, who has been with the department for 21 years, said firefighters deal with such traumatic events as seeing a dead body at a traffic accident, or helping comfort a family during an emergency call when someone is injured.
Regina police Sgt. Casey Ward, president of the Regina Police Association, praised PSPNET for allowing officers to access the service at irregular hours, an advantage for people who often have to do shift work.
“What we’re pretty excited about is that someone at two o’clock in the morning can log onto the computer and start getting themselves help, so it really helps get rid of some of those barriers,” said Ward.
Some of the stresses police currently facing in Regina involve the increased amount of gun violence. Ward recounted incidents when officers stopping a shoplifter found a loaded gun in a backpack, or had to provide first-aid treatment to someone who had been shot.
Darren Tanzell, a Regina advanced care paramedic, said the immediacy of an online, 24/7 service is crucial for EMS workers who need to talk to someone.
“It’s important because when you need help, you kind of need it now,” he said.
PSPNET is now is available in Saskatchewan, and will soon be expanding to Quebec. A nationwide rollout is planned for the future.
I think pride … would weigh very heavily, and actually saying that ‘I need some help’.