Qualitative evaluation of a pilot mental health program for public safety personnel with post-traumatic stress disorder

Public Safety Personnel (PSP) such as police officers, firefighters, and paramedics are at an increased risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to frequent exposure to potentially psychologically traumatic events. Return-to-work trajectories can be challenging, as treatment programs are often not tailored to PSP, leading to long-term disability. To better support PSP, the work disability insurance authority in Ontario, Canada commissioned a mental health treatment program for PSP who receive benefits for a diagnosis of PTSD. Staff in this program received specialized training by a credible PSP organization (Wounded Warriors Canada) for working with PSP. We conducted a formative evaluation of this pilot program. Qualitative, semi-structured interviews were conducted with service providers (n = 11) and PSP clients who had completed the program (n = 19). The aim was to understand whether and how the program met client needs, how it could be improved, and how this could inform other mental health treatment programs for PSP. Using descriptive qualitative methods, we found that participants reflected positively on the program's appropriateness, acceptability, and effectiveness. Credibility was a central concern across all three domains. Having a program that was exclusive to PSP allowed staff to tailor their treatment approach to unique PSP needs, which offered credibility as a PSP treatment program, and it made it possible for PSP to be in an environment where they felt safe.