Authors: McCall, H.C., Landry, C.A., Ogunade, A., Carleton, R.N., & Hadjistavropoulos
Public safety personnel (PSP) have elevated rates of mental health disorders. Because of the nature of their work, they can face barriers (stigma, access, cost) to getting mental health care. There is a growing interest amongst PSP about the use of internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (ICBT). ICBT is effective in treating anxiety, mood, and trauma-related disorders. ICBT can be offered in a therapist-supported or self-guided format. ICBT is also private, accessible at any time or location, and cost-effective, eliminating many common barriers to treatment.
PSPNET has developed a tailored ICBT program for Canadian PSP with promising initial outcomes. However, little is known about why PSP seek ICBT. The current study will explore responses from prospective PSPNET clients to determine:
Participants were 259 PSP from Saskatchewan and Quebec who signed up for PSPNET from December 2019 to March 2021. Participants answered questions about their symptoms of mental health disorders, current functioning, expectations of ICBT, and previous mental health service usage. They were also asked how they heard about PSPNET and why they sought PSPNET’s ICBT services.
This study has limitations, the most obvious being that feedback is limited to those that signed up for PSPNET. There were also only participants from the two provinces where PSPNET was offered during the study. However, there are some valuable insights. They include:
Why do public safety personnel seek tailored internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy? An observational study of treatment seekers. Read publication here.