An Assessment of Mental Health Challenges and Occupational Stressors Among Public Safety Personnel Senior Leadership
Public safety personnel (PSP; e.g., correctional workers, firefighters, paramedics, police, public safety communicators) are inevitably exposed to potentially psychologically traumatic events (PPTEs; e.g., actual or threatened death, serious injury or sexual violence). Frequent PPTE exposures and other occupational stressors are associated with posttraumatic stress injuries (PTSI) including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and other physical and psychological comorbidities. PSP senior leadership (i.e., Chiefs, Directors, Deputy Chiefs) are expected to provide effective solutions for frontline personnel mental health. Most efforts have focused on frontline PSP, with minimal mental health support efforts targeted towards senior PSP leadership, despite PSP senior leadership being generally presumed to have experienced PPTEs and other occupational stressors in their previous roles as frontline PSP which may have similarly impacted their mental health. To date, no studies have assessed for differences in occupational stressors, mental health disorder symptoms, and suicidal behaviours (i.e., ideation, planning, attempts) among a diverse sample of Canadian PSP leadership relative to frontline PSP. The current study was designed to assess for differences in screening prevalence proportions for occupational stressors, mental health disorders, and suicidal behaviours among different organizational roles (i.e., PSP senior leadership [Chiefs, Directors, Deputy Chiefs] and PSP in other serving roles) within the paramedicine and policing PSP sectors, with the intent to broadly support the Canadian National Action Plan on Post-Traumatic Stress Injuries. Results indicated that PSP senior leadership were not less likely to screen positive for any mental health disorder, one or more mental health disorders, or suicidal behaviours than frontline PSP within the same PSP sector, underscoring that PSP senior leadership also need tailored mental health supports, particularly given the administrative stressors that will necessarily compound the impact of their frontline service.
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Research Summary
Why was the study done?
Public safety personnel (PSP; e.g., correctional workers, firefighters, paramedics, police, public safety communicators) are inevitably exposed to potentially psychologically traumatic events (PPTEs; e.g., actual or threatened death, serious injury, sexual violence). Frequent PPTE exposures and other occupational stressors are associated with posttraumatic stress injuries (PTSI) including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and other physical and psychological comorbidities. PSP senior leadership (i.e., Chiefs, Directors, Deputy Chiefs) are expected to procure effective mental health solutions for frontline personnel. Most efforts have focused on frontline PSP, with very few efforts focused on senior PSP leadership; however, PSP senior leadership experience substantial stress and can reasonably be expected to have experienced PPTEs and other occupational stressors while serving as frontline PSP. Senior PSP leaders’ experiences may have similarly impacted their mental health. To date, no studies have assessed for differences in occupational stressors, mental health disorder symptoms, and suicidal behaviours (i.e., ideation, planning, attempts) among a diverse sample of Canadian PSP leadership relative to frontline PSP.
What was done in the study?
The current study was designed to assess for differences in screening prevalence proportions for occupational stressors, mental health disorders, and suicidal behaviours among different organizational roles (i.e., PSP senior leadership [Chiefs, Directors, Deputy Chiefs] and PSP in other serving roles) within the paramedicine and policing PSP sectors, with the intent to broadly support the Canadian National Action Plan on Post-Traumatic Stress Injuries. Data were collected through a web-based self-report survey that was available in English or French. The survey was available for voluntary participation from September 1, 2016, to January 31, 2017. Participation was solicited through emails sent to employed PSP, consistent with voluntary response sampling methods. The current analyses included participants (n=3,717) from the paramedicine and policing sectors.
What did we find out?
Results indicated that: 1) PSP senior leadership were not statistically significantly less likely to screen positive for any mental health disorder, or one or more mental health disorders, than other serving PSP within the same PSP sector; 2) PSP senior leadership reported disproportionately more mental health challenges compared to the general population; and, 3) PSP senior leadership were not statistically significantly less likely to endorse lifetime suicidal behaviours as compared to the PSP that they support.
Canadian PSP senior leaders began as frontline PSP, and experienced PPTEs and other occupational stressors, which may partially explain the statistical similarities in mental health challenges. In any case, the results support more nuanced and contemporary assessments of PSP senior leadership mental health, well-being, and occupational stressors. The results underscore that PSP senior leadership also need tailored mental health supports, particularly given the administrative stressors that will necessarily compound the impact of their frontline service.
Original Study
Carleton, R. N., Teckchandani, T. A., MacPhee, R., Camp, R., & Nisbet, J. (2025). An Assessment of Mental Health Challenges and Occupational Stressors Among Public Safety Personnel Senior Leadership. Journal of Psychiatric Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2025.12.018