IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v19y2022i12p6972-d833151.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

A Qualitative Analysis of the Mental Health Training and Educational Needs of Firefighters, Paramedics, and Public Safety Communicators in Canada

Author

Listed:
  • Liana Lentz

    (Department of Philosophy, King’s University College at Western, London, ON N6A 2M3, Canada
    Faculty of Science, Thompsons River University, Kamloops, BC V2C 0C8, Canada)

  • Lorraine Smith-MacDonald

    (Department of Philosophy, King’s University College at Western, London, ON N6A 2M3, Canada
    Heroes in Mind, Advocacy and Research Consortium, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada)

  • David C. Malloy

    (Department of Philosophy, King’s University College at Western, London, ON N6A 2M3, Canada
    Canadian Institute of Public Safety Research and Treatment, University of Regina, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada)

  • Gregory S. Anderson

    (Faculty of Science, Thompsons River University, Kamloops, BC V2C 0C8, Canada
    Canadian Institute of Public Safety Research and Treatment, University of Regina, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada)

  • Shadi Beshai

    (Canadian Institute of Public Safety Research and Treatment, University of Regina, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada
    Department of Psychology, University of Regina, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada)

  • Rosemary Ricciardelli

    (Canadian Institute of Public Safety Research and Treatment, University of Regina, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada
    Department of Sociology, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John’s, NL A1C 5S7, Canada)

  • Suzette Bremault-Phillips

    (Heroes in Mind, Advocacy and Research Consortium, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
    These authors contributed equally to this work and share last authorship.)

  • R. Nicholas Carleton

    (Canadian Institute of Public Safety Research and Treatment, University of Regina, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada
    Department of Psychology, University of Regina, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada
    These authors contributed equally to this work and share last authorship.)

Abstract

Background—Public safety personnel (PSP) are at heightened risk of developing mental health challenges due to exposures to diverse stressors including potentially psychologically traumatic experiences. An increased focus on protecting PSP mental health has prompted demand for interventions designed to enhance resilience. While hundreds of available interventions are aimed to improve resilience and protect PSPs’ mental health, research evidence regarding intervention effectiveness remains sparse. Methods—Focus groups with PSP elicited a discussion of psychoeducational program content, preferred modes of program delivery, when such training should occur, and to whom it ought to be targeted. Results—The results of thematic analyses suggest that PSP participants feel that contemporary approaches to improving mental health and resilience are lacking. While welcomed, the provision of sporadic one-off mental health and resilience programs by organizations was seen as insufficient, and the available organizational mental health supports were perceived as being questionable. The available programs also left participants feeling insufficiently prepared to deal with personal mental health problems and in discussing mental health concerns with co-workers. Conclusions—Participants reported needing more engaging methods for delivering information, career-long mental health knowledge acquisition, and a systems approach to improve the workplace culture, particularly regarding mental health.

Suggested Citation

  • Liana Lentz & Lorraine Smith-MacDonald & David C. Malloy & Gregory S. Anderson & Shadi Beshai & Rosemary Ricciardelli & Suzette Bremault-Phillips & R. Nicholas Carleton, 2022. "A Qualitative Analysis of the Mental Health Training and Educational Needs of Firefighters, Paramedics, and Public Safety Communicators in Canada," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-19, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:12:p:6972-:d:833151
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/12/6972/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/12/6972/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Van der Klink, J.J.L. & Blonk, R.W.B. & Schene, A.H. & Van Dijk, F.J.H., 2001. "The benefits of interventions for work-related stress," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 91(2), pages 270-276.
    2. Konstantinos Papazoglou & Mari Koskelainen & Natalie Stuewe, 2019. "Examining the Relationship Between Personality Traits, Compassion Satisfaction, and Compassion Fatigue Among Police Officers," SAGE Open, , vol. 9(1), pages 21582440188, January.
    3. R. Nicholas Carleton & Tracie O. Afifi & Tamara Taillieu & Sarah Turner & Julia E. Mason & Rosemary Ricciardelli & Donald R. McCreary & Adam D. Vaughan & Gregory S. Anderson & Rachel L. Krakauer & Eli, 2020. "Assessing the Relative Impact of Diverse Stressors among Public Safety Personnel," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-25, February.
    4. Elizabeth Stratton & Amit Lampit & Isabella Choi & Rafael A Calvo & Samuel B Harvey & Nicholas Glozier, 2017. "Effectiveness of eHealth interventions for reducing mental health conditions in employees: A systematic review and meta-analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(12), pages 1-23, December.
    5. Gregory S. Anderson & Paula M. Di Nota & Dianne Groll & R. Nicholas Carleton, 2020. "Peer Support and Crisis-Focused Psychological Interventions Designed to Mitigate Post-Traumatic Stress Injuries among Public Safety and Frontline Healthcare Personnel: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-16, October.
    6. Katy Konyk & Rosemary Ricciardelli & Tamara Taillieu & Tracie O. Afifi & Dianne Groll & R. Nicholas Carleton, 2021. "Assessing Relative Stressors and Mental Disorders among Canadian Provincial Correctional Workers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-25, September.
    7. Lorraine Smith-MacDonald & Liana Lentz & David Malloy & Suzette Brémault-Phillips & R. Nicholas Carleton, 2021. "Meat in a Seat: A Grounded Theory Study Exploring Moral Injury in Canadian Public Safety Communicators, Firefighters, and Paramedics," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-18, November.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Justin Mausz & Elizabeth Anne Donnelly & Sandra Moll & Sheila Harms & Meghan McConnell, 2022. "Mental Disorder Symptoms and the Relationship with Resilience among Paramedics in a Single Canadian Site," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-14, April.
    2. Jill A. B. Price & Adeyemi O. Ogunade & Amber J. Fletcher & Rosemary Ricciardelli & Gregory S. Anderson & Heidi Cramm & R. Nicholas Carleton, 2022. "Peer Support for Public Safety Personnel in Canada: Towards a Typology," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-11, April.
    3. Katie L. Andrews & Laleh Jamshidi & Jolan Nisbet & Taylor A. Teckchandani & Jill A. B. Price & Rosemary Ricciardelli & Gregory S. Anderson & R. Nicholas Carleton, 2022. "Mental Health Training, Attitudes toward Support, and Screening Positive for Mental Disorders among Canadian Coast Guard and Conservation and Protection Officers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-16, November.
    4. Katie L. Andrews & Laleh Jamshidi & Jolan Nisbet & Taylor A. Teckchandani & Jill A. B. Price & Rosemary Ricciardelli & Gregory S. Anderson & R. Nicholas Carleton, 2022. "Assessing the Relative Impact of Diverse Stressors among Canadian Coast Guard and Conservation and Protection Officers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-20, December.
    5. Won Ju Hwang & Ji Sun Ha & Mi Jeong Kim, 2021. "Research Trends on Mobile Mental Health Application for General Population: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-18, March.
    6. Rebecca W. M. Lau & W. H. Mak, 2017. "Effectiveness of Workplace Interventions for Depression in Asia: A Meta-Analysis," SAGE Open, , vol. 7(2), pages 21582440177, June.
    7. Anya Johnson & Shanta Dey & Helena Nguyen & Markus Groth & Sadhbh Joyce & Leona Tan & Nicholas Glozier & Samuel B Harvey, 2020. "A review and agenda for examining how technology-driven changes at work will impact workplace mental health and employee well-being," Australian Journal of Management, Australian School of Business, vol. 45(3), pages 402-424, August.
    8. Rosemary Ricciardelli & R. Nicholas Carleton & Barbara Anschuetz & Sylvio Gravel & Brad McKay, 2022. "Testifying after an Investigation: Shaping the Mental Health of Public Safety Personnel," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-8, October.
    9. Elisa Menardo & Donatella Di Marco & Sara Ramos & Margherita Brondino & Alicia Arenas & Patricia Costa & Carlos Vaz de Carvalho & Margherita Pasini, 2022. "Nature and Mindfulness to Cope with Work-Related Stress: A Narrative Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-16, May.
    10. Lipovac Dean & Hajdu László & Wie Sølvi & Nyrud Anders Q., 2020. "Improving Mental Wellbeing in Organizations with Targeted Psychosocial Interventions," Business Systems Research, Sciendo, vol. 11(2), pages 86-98, October.
    11. Rodolfo Buselli & Martina Corsi & Antonello Veltri & Riccardo Marino & Fabrizio Caldi & Paolo Del Guerra & Giovanni Guglielmi & Camilla Tanca & Massimo Paoli & Vincenzo Maria Calabretta & Salvio Perre, 2023. "Comparison between Standard Expository Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT-E) and Immersive Virtual Reality CBT (CBT-VR) for Rehabilitation of Patients Affected by Occupational Stress Disorders: Study P," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(9), pages 1-13, May.
    12. Muhammad Asif Qureshi & Kamal bin Ab Hamid, 2017. "Impact of Supervisor Support on Job Satisfaction: A Moderating role of Fairness Perception," International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, Human Resource Management Academic Research Society, International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, vol. 7(3), pages 235-242, March.
    13. Cristiane S. C. Araújo & Ruth Minamisava & Marcos A. Matos & Camila C. F. Vieira & Priscila V. O. Vitorino & Dolors Rodríguez-Martín & Neuma Chaveiro & Lizete M. A. C. Oliveira & Virginia V. Brasil & , 2020. "Associated Factors of Quality of Life in Prison Officers, Brazil," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-12, May.
    14. Eva Sahlin & Gunnar Ahlborg & Josefa Vega Matuszczyk & Patrik Grahn, 2014. "Nature-Based Stress Management Course for Individuals at Risk of Adverse Health Effects from Work-Related Stress—Effects on Stress Related Symptoms, Workability and Sick Leave," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-26, June.
    15. Robyn E. Shields & Stephanie Korol & R. Nicholas Carleton & Megan McElheran & Andrea M. Stelnicki & Dianne Groll & Gregory S. Anderson, 2021. "Brief Mental Health Disorder Screening Questionnaires and Use with Public Safety Personnel: A Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-30, April.
    16. Heidi Cramm & Rachel Richmond & Laleh Jamshidi & Megan Edgelow & Dianne Groll & Rose Ricciardelli & Joy Christine MacDermid & Michael Keiley & R. Nicholas Carleton, 2021. "Mental Health of Canadian Firefighters: The Impact of Sleep," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-14, December.
    17. Gregory S. Anderson & Rosemary Ricciardelli & Linna Tam-Seto & Sulaimon Giwa & R. Nicholas Carleton, 2022. "Self-Reported Coping Strategies for Managing Work-Related Stress among Public Safety Personnel," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-14, February.
    18. Marco De Angelis & Davide Giusino & Karina Nielsen & Emmanuel Aboagye & Marit Christensen & Siw Tone Innstrand & Greta Mazzetti & Machteld van den Heuvel & Roy B.L. Sijbom & Vince Pelzer & Rita Chiesa, 2020. "H-WORK Project: Multilevel Interventions to Promote Mental Health in SMEs and Public Workplaces," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-23, October.
    19. Francisco Rincon‐Roldan & Alvaro Lopez‐Cabrales, 2021. "Ethical values in social economy for sustainable development," Annals of Public and Cooperative Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 92(4), pages 705-729, December.
    20. Louisa Picco & Qi Yuan & Janhavi Ajit Vaingankar & Sherilyn Chang & Edimansyah Abdin & Hong Choon Chua & Siow Ann Chong & Mythily Subramaniam, 2017. "Positive mental health among health professionals working at a psychiatric hospital," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(6), pages 1-16, June.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:12:p:6972-:d:833151. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.