Our team is committed to developing and sharing evidence-based mental health resources with PSP families. We provide a wide range of information and strategies informed and vetted by PSP families.
If a member of your family is a PSP, our wellbeing hub is designed for you. Our definition of “family” is open and inclusive (e.g., chosen families, biological families, childfree families, LGBTQ+ families, and adoptive and foster families, among others).
What we offer
Inside our hub, you’ll find:
Information: Information designed to address family issues related to the occupational risks and requirements of public safety work.
Categories include:
- Expectations and support: PSP families in the community
- Family responsibilities: Role overload
- Nonstandard hours of work: Out of sync and out of time
- Requirements of the job: The impact at home
- Trauma exposure: The ripple effects
- Work and home transitions: Managing uncertainty
Strategies: Tips and exercises are designed to address issues described in the information pages. Strategies are designed to develop and enhance relationships.
Categories include:
- Strategies for families
- Strategies for couples
Spouse or Significant Other Wellbeing Course: Adapted from our PSP Wellbeing Course, this self-guided, internet-delivered, cognitive behavioural therapy program is designed to support a PSP spouse or significant other with their unique wellbeing needs.
Topics include:
- Identifying the cycle of symptoms
- Managing unhelpful thoughts
- Managing physical symptoms
- Managing avoidance and safety behaviours
- Relapse prevention and goal setting
- Improving sleep
- Communication, assertiveness and problem solving
- Anger and grief exploration
We have added new resources recently:
- Improving the couple relationship
- Moral Injury
- Supporting a spouse with mental health concerns
Learn more about what we offer here
Who we are
With funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada, 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.
We are led by principal investigators Dr. Heather Hadjistavropoulos (University of Regina), Dr. Heidi Cramm (Queen’s University) and Dr. Nathalie Reid (University of Regina).