A leading wellbeing and resilience program from Flinders University researchers has been expanded as part of a partnership with South Australian emergency services to offer help to prevent the onset of mental health conditions linked to trauma and stress at work for early-career first responders, their significant others and supervisors.
The ‘Protecting Emergency Responders with Evidence-Based Interventions’ (PEREI) program will be rolled out across the South Australia Police Service (SAPS), the Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) and the SA Country Fire Service (CFS), and is funded through Movember and the Breakthrough Mental Health Foundation.
Professor Reg Nixon, Program Lead who recently promoted the program at an R U Ok? Day event with the MFS, says it is estimated that emergency services workers are twice as likely to develop anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder than the general population.
“We want to build on early-career first responders’ skills and resources, so they can draw on these when things aren’t going well and protect them from the onset of these issues,” says Professor Nixon. “PEREI is unique in that it offers support to not only first responders, but also their support networks such as family, and their supervisors.”
Psychologist Dr Marja Elizabeth, who manages the program, notes that PEREI goes above and beyond existing wellbeing programs by linking together evidence-based interventions aimed at all three groups – first responders, their significant others and their supervisors.
“First responders in their first five years of service will have access to a seven-module online program that provides information and practical skills proven to strengthen resilience and support good mental health wellbeing,” says Dr Elizabeth.
“They will also have access to a Wellbeing Coach, who can provide support, answer questions and keep the person on track to help them get the most out of the program.”
Family and friends of first responders who participate in the online modules will be offered a six-session program developed by SAHMRI and Flinders University called the Be Well Plan.
“Living with or supporting a first responder can impact the entire family and it is important that significant others put their own oxygen masks on as well as provide support,” says Dr Elizabeth.
“Family and significant others are often the first people to notice changes but are often unsure how to act on these early warning signs.”
Supervisors also have an important role in reducing the impact of traumatic stress by offering early intervention and support. PEREI offers four sessions of training for supervisors of early-career first responders, to better equip them with skills to promote a culture that reduces mental health stigma and encourages help-seeking.
The PEREI program is accepting enrolments until the end of March 2024.