Self-Guided Spouse or Significant Other Wellbeing Course

Who is eligible for this course?

Spouses and significant others of Canadian first responders and other public safety personnel (PSP) 18+ residing in Canada who want to improve their own mental health and wellbeing.

This course is not suitable for those with severe substance use, psychosis, mania, or suicidal thoughts.

Evidence-Informed: Participants report significant improvement in their symptoms of anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress.
Easy & Flexible: 5 online lessons over 8 weeks with ~ 1 hour of course work per week.
Extra Resources: More information about PSP-related concerns such as sleep, anger, relationships, and more!

Can I enroll if I’ve already taken a PSPNET course?

Yes! Please reach out to us and we will assist you with enrollment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Course Overview

Who developed the Self-Guided Spouse of Significant Other (SSO) Wellbeing Course?

The Wellbeing Course was originally developed at Macquarie University in Australia, then adapted and researched by the Online Therapy Unit at the University of Regina. PSPNET furthered tailored the Wellbeing Course to address the unique challenges of PSPs. This course has shown success as a treatment for anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder and related concerns.

The SSO Wellbeing Course is a version of the PSP Wellbeing Course developed for spouses and significant others of PSP.
Why was the SSO Wellbeing Course developed?
The Self-Guided SSO Wellbeing Course was developed to help spouses and significant others of PSP overcome common barriers to mental health support, such as:
- Geographical challenges — difficulty accessing care in remote locations or during postings
- Logistical constraints — shift work and busy schedules that conflict with standard service hours
- Stigma concerns — perceptions of being judged or evaluated negatively for mental health concerns
- Limited resources — insufficient access to mental health services designed for PSP families
What does the Self-Guided SSO Wellbeing Course involve?

The Self-Guided SSO Wellbeing Course delivers the same evidence-based treatment as traditional face-to-face cognitive behavioural therapy, adapted specifically for spouses and significant others.

The program consists of 5 main lessons, with lesson materials presented online on a weekly basis over the course of 8 weeks. Each lesson is delivered through engaging online content. At the end of each lesson, you’ll complete practice exercises that help reinforce the strategies.

You’ll also receive automated emails with helpful tips and encouragement along the way. All course materials remain accessible for up to 26 weeks after enrollment, giving you flexibility to revisit content as needed.

Additional resources are available to address concerns like communicating with your spouse, sleep, motivation, anger, and problem-solving, allowing you to focus on issues most relevant to your needs.
How much time does it take to complete the Self-Guided SSO Wellbeing Course?

The Self-Guided SSO Wellbeing Course is designed to take 8–10 weeks to work through the 5 main lessons. Each lesson typically takes about 1 hour to review, and then additional time determined by you to practice the skills discussed in each lesson.

We recommend setting aside time each week to work through the materials consistently. After the initial 8 weeks, you’ll continue to have access to all course materials for up to 26 weeks total after enrollment, allowing you to review content and download materials as needed.
Is support available from therapists?

The Self-Guided SSO Wellbeing Course does not include therapist support.
How is the Wellbeing Course being evaluated?

The Wellbeing Course is evaluated through questionnaires you’ll complete at three points: during screening, throughout the course, and after completion. These take between 5 and 30 minutes and collect important information about your experience and outcomes. You may also be invited to participate in a phone or Zoom interview.

This data helps us continuously improve the program and contributes to research on effective mental health support. Your participation in this evaluation is greatly appreciated.

Privacy & Additional Information

Will my participation in the Self-Guided SSO Wellbeing course be kept confidential?
Yes. The PSPNET website is hosted and maintained by the University of Regina. All information you share is encrypted using secure socket layer (SSL) technology — the same level of security as online banking. Messages are securely sent and stored on encrypted servers.

Your participation is confidential, and only members of the PSPNET team have access to your information. However, confidentiality must be broken in certain circumstances including:
- Potential imminent harm to you or others
- Suspected neglect or harm to a child, including witnessing violence
- Court order to release information
- Where required by law
PSPNET offers a clinical service but is also a research facility. As such, when your information is used for research purposes, it is de-identified to protect your privacy. This means it’s analyzed and presented in a way that prevents anyone from identifying you.
Where can I find out more information?

Please contact 306-337-7233 (SAFE) or email pspnetfamilies@uregina.ca.