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Treatment

Internet-delivered therapy for PSP (PSPNET)

Overview

As part of the Government of Canada’s National Action Plan on Posttraumatic Stress Injuries, PSPNET is offering and evaluating Internet-delivered cognitive behaviour therapy, also known as ICBT, specifically tailored for current and former Public Safety Personnel (PSP), including border security agents, correctional workers, call centre operators/dispatchers, firefighters, paramedics, and police. Our ICBT program is 8 weeks long and offered with optional weekly therapist support. Support can be extended up to 16 weeks. The courses are designed to improve depression, anxiety and posttraumatic stress injuries. PSPNET is based at the University of Regina as part of the Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment (CIPSRT) and led by Dr. Heather Hadjistavropoulos, one of Canada’s leading scholars on ICBT.

Eligibility

PSPNET services are available in English and French in the following provinces: Saskatchewan, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and now Ontario.

The PSPNET service is free, confidential, and does not require a referral. PSPNET is currently offering ICBT to current and former PSP:

  • who self-report problems with anxiety, depression, or posttraumatic stress injuries;
  • are 18 years of age or older;
  • comfortable using and have access to the Internet;
  • willing to provide a local medical contact in case of emergencies; and

Courses offered by PSPNET

The therapist-guided PSP wellbeing course is offered in English and French for PSP.  To find out additional details about the course and how to sign up, click here.

The therapist-guided PSP PTSD course is offered in English and French for PSP who are primarily concerned with symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder. To find out additional details about the PSP PTSD course and how to sign up, click here.

PSPNET is currently offering a Self-Guided PSP Wellbeing Course (i.e., a self-help version of the course without therapist guidance) to PSP anywhere in Canada.

Service Delivery Outcomes and Course Feedback

Service delivery outcomes for PSPNET services are detailed here.

PSP who have completed the course have the following feedback:

  • “I loved the resources and that the course is focused on first responders. First responders often feel isolated because of their experiences, reading about cases similar to mine helped me feel less alone with what I’m experiencing in my life.”
  • “The materials are great! I find them really clearly laid out and thorough but reachable.”
  • “I can see how practicing this course would be a benefit to anyone in the first responder world. “
  • “This is a great service to have available.”
  • “It was good to be able to do it on my time and in my own home. Helps with the comfort of reaching out for help while still being in my own safe zone.”
  • “I liked how it was flexible and allowed you to work at your own pace.”
  • “Once I began the course, I found myself feeling hopeful and even a little more understood in how I am struggling and the different ways people can struggle with mental health as a PSP.”
  • “It enabled me to begin seeing a path out of my depression. It’s not a cure, just a way forward.”

Continuous Improvements

PSPNET is continuously improving ICBT by reviewing feedback from PSP who seek our services. Here are some improvements we are working on:

  • Developing more audio content.
  • Expanding our treatment materials related to sleep as well as alcohol misuse.
  • Improving graphs to allow PSP to see changes in symptoms over time.

Contact Us:

www.pspnet.ca

Phone: 306-337-SAFE (7233) or toll free 1-833-317-7233

Email: pspnet@uregina.ca

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