AX3 Project

National Public Safety Personnel (PSP) Prevalence Study

Welcome

The Federal Framework on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) recognized several professionals, including border services agents, correctional workers, firefighters, paramedics, municipal and provincial police, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and public safety communicators, at increased risk for PTSD and other mental disorders (i.e., posttraumatic stress injuries [PTSI], as a function of operational stressors including potentially psychologically traumatic event exposures (PPTEs; e.g., physical assault, sexual violence, physical injury, fire or explosion, transportation accident).

In 2018, PSP reported a high prevalence of exposure to PPTEs (Carleton et al., 2019) and a high prevalence of associated suicidal behaviours (Carleton et al., 2018a) and mental health disorders (Carleton et al., 2018b). Since 2018 there have been several novel systemic stressors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, mass casualty events, public calls for pervasive organizational changes, and natural disasters that can reasonably be expected to have negatively impacted PSP mental health.

Objectives and Outcomes

The current study was designed to replicate and extend the pan-Canadian survey of mental disorders among PSP in Canada to provide updated estimates of PTSI among several PSP sectors.

The current study was designed to provide critical information about PSP related to:

    • Potentially psychologically traumatic event exposures.
    • Mental health disorders.
    • Suicidal behaviours.
    • Organizational and operational stressors.
    • Organizational and social supports.
    • Mental health training.

Results from the current study will work with previous data to inform the federally mandated mental health framework and action plans on PTSI. The results can then support policies within PSP organizations that enhance the wellbeing of employees and inform research regarding PSP employees’ mental health. The results will also provide cross-sectional information about risk and resiliency variables that may provide insights into potential mechanisms for reducing symptoms.

About the Study

Study Team

The study is being led by researchers from the Psychological Trauma and Stress Systems (PTSS) Lab in the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, at the University of Regina;

The lead researcher for the study is Dr. R. Nicholas Carleton, PhD. Dr. Carleton is a Professor at the University of Regina in the Department of Psychology and head of the PTSS Lab.

Dr. Katie Andrews, PhD is co-principal investigator for the study. Dr. Andrews is a Research Associate at the PTSS Lab.

Study Collaborators and Partners

The study also includes collaboration and support from the following organizations:

    • Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP)

    • Canadian Police Association (CPA)

    • International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF)

    • Ministry of Solicitor General (SolGen)

    • Wounded Warriors Canada (WWC)

Study Design

For the current study we have collaboratively designed a survey to share the experiences and assess PTSIs among PSP employees including serving firefighters, municipal police, and provincial police. Participating PSP can complete the anonymous web-based survey in English or French via their personal electronic devices. The survey will ask participants to reflect on their mental health and work experiences, which may be challenging at times, but will add to our understanding of PTSI among PSP. The results will be made available through summary reports that will be shared with the participating organizations, on the PTSS website and social media platforms, and reported in peer-reviewed journal articles. Initial results are expected to be available within 6-12 months after the survey closes.

The survey is expected to be available for approximately six months, beginning in June 2025.