The Resilient Minds Program in Fire Departments
Study Details
Study Description
Brief Summary
The purpose of the study is to assess the impact of a mental health training program in volunteer and career firefighters.
| Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
|---|---|---|
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N/A |
Detailed Description
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.
Study Design
Arms and Interventions
| Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
|---|---|
| Experimental: Resilient Minds Four comprehensive, skill-building learning modules in the areas of psychological trauma, mental health problems, resiliency and workplace stress. |
Behavioral: Resilient Minds
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.
Other Names:
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Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- Mental Health Knowledge [0-12 months]
Survey on mental health knowledge (unit of measure = 5-point Likert Scale, "Agree Strongly" to "Disagree Strongly")
- Knowledge Retention [0-12 months]
Survey on retention of program material (unit of measure = 5-point Likert scale, "Not much" to "A Lot")
- Work Stress [0-12 months]
Survey on factors that contribute to work stress (unit of measure = 5-point Likert scale, "Not at all" to "A Lot")
- Impact on support levels [0-12 months]
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")
Secondary Outcome Measures
- Self-perceived learning [0-12 months]
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")
- Helpfulness of training [0-12 months]
Survey of helpfulness of training (unit of measure = Yes or No response)
- Utilization of training [0-12 months]
Survey on intent and actual usage of information or skills learned from program (unit of measure = Yes or No response)
- Critical incidents exposure and impact [0 months]
Survey on exposures to difficult or stressful things (unit of measure = ratings of frequency and impact on life)
- Resilience [0-12 months]
Survey on mental resiliency (unit of measure = 5-point Likert scale, "Strongly Agree" to "Strongly Disagree")
Other Outcome Measures
- Traumatic Life Events Checklist [3 months]
Survey on lifetime experience with "difficult or stressful things"
- PTSD Checklst [0-12 months]
Survey on PTSD symptoms over past month
- Public Safety Officer Stress [0-12 months]
Survey on stress from being first responder (past 6 months)
- Suicidal Behavioural [0-12 months]
Survey on suicidal behaviours
- Anxiety [0-12 months]
Survey on anxiety symptoms (past 2 weeks)
- Depression [0-12 months]
Survey on mood symptoms (past 2 weeks)
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
-
18 years and older
-
can read, understand, speak English
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career or volunteer firefighters in PEI participating in Resilient Minds program
Contacts and Locations
Locations
| Site | City | State | Country | Postal Code | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services | Vancouver | British Columbia | Canada | |
| 2 | Charlottetown Fire Department | Charlottetown | Prince Edward Island | Canada | |
| 3 | East River Fire Department | Mount Stewart | Prince Edward Island | Canada | |
| 4 | Crossroads Fire Department | Stratford | Prince Edward Island | Canada | |
| 5 | Summerside Fire Department | Summerside | Prince Edward Island | Canada |
Sponsors and Collaborators
- McMaster University
- 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
Investigators
- Principal Investigator: Amanda Brazil, MAEd, PhD, FIREWELL
- Principal Investigator: R. Nicholas Carleton, PhD, University of Regina
- Principal Investigator: Steve Fraser, Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services
- Principal Investigator: Joy MacDermid, PhD, McMaster University & Western University
Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Publications
None provided.- 2017-4390-GRA