We are pleased to bring to your attention, excellent free online resources developed as part of the Government of Canada’s National Action Plan on Post-Traumatic Stress Injuries. Through PSPNET – part of the Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment (CIPSRT), you can access resources to support the mental health and wellbeing of first responders or other public safety personnel (PSP) including evidenced-based internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy programs (ICBT), tailored for first responders and other Public Safety Personnel (PSP).
You will also find a host of resources specific for family members of first responders or other public safety personnel through PSPNET Families.
The Founder of PSPNET is Dr. Heather Hadjistavropoulos from the University of Regina and is Canada’s leading scholar on ICBT. The co-investigator is Dr. R Nicholas Carleton from the University of Regina and Scientific Director of CIPSRT – a leading scholar in the area of PSP mental health.
PSPNET Families is a collaboration between PSPNET, the Families Matter Research Group at Queen’s University, and the Child Trauma Research Centre at the University of Regina and are led by principal investigators Dr. Heather Hadjistavropoulos (University of Regina), Dr. Heidi Cramm (Queen’s University), and Dr. Natalie Reid (University of Regina).
Their resources can be accessed through the Encompas Member Portals where their tools are included alongside other curated resources: https://www.encompascare.ca/member-portal/; or directly through PSPNET: https://www.pspnet.ca/
For The Public Safety Personnel
PSPNET offers both therapist-guided and self-guided courses which are between 8-16 weeks long and accessible for up to one year after enrollment.
Therapist-guided courses are offered via secure, brief, weekly messages and/or phone calls that are designed to complement, rather than replace, online treatment materials. Hundreds of randomized controlled trials show that ICBT is effective for treating symptoms of anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress and more. There are also the following self-guided courses below:
Client feedback indicates that PSP appreciate several aspects of PSPNET including the format, content, accessibility, additional resources, examples, and therapist guidance. Clients also note that ICBT helps them manage various work-related stressors including psychologically traumatic events, demanding or combative individuals and PTSD symptoms.
For The Families of Public Safety Personnel (PSP)
In addition to the ICBT Spouse or Significant Other Wellbeing Course profiled above, you can also access a hub filled with helpful information, strategies, and wellbeing tools as below:
Feel free to talk with an Encompas Care Manager if you have any questions about these or other resources available to you through the Encompas Program – 1-866-794-9117 or info@encompascare.ca. We are here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.