Risk and protective factors for poor mental health outcomes in first responders

Emergency services personnel (i.e.,  ambulance, firefighters, police) are at a heightened risk of developing mental  health problems compared to general adult populations, with around 30% of  Australian emergency personnel meeting criteria for high psychological  distress compared to 12% of Australian adults. Research is needed to (a) understand the main intrapersonal, interpersonal, and workplace drivers of mental health problems among emergency services personnel, (b) identify those most at-risk of poor outcomes, and (c) facilitate early intervention and engagement with  mental health services.

This presentation will provide a brief overview of the  main findings from the national Answering the Call survey, describe key  findings from a recent systematic review we completed of risk and protective factors in first responders, and describe a planned prospective study of risk  and protective factors with St John Ambulance WA.

About the Presenters

Professor Peter McEvoy

Peter McEvoy is a Professor of Clinical Psychology in the School of Psychology. Peter has extensive clinical experience providing evidence-supported group and individual treatments for emotional disorders. His research interests are broad and include anxiety disorders, social anxiety disorder, transdiagnostic approaches to conceptualising and treating emotional disorders, the use of imagery in psychotherapy, repetitive negative thinking, mechanisms of behavioural and cognitive change, and the epidemiology of mental disorders.

Dr Michael Kyron

Michael Kyron is a Research Fellow in the School of Psychology.

Preparation

Michael and Peter are looking for potential avenues to collaborate with FOWI on this project, so please think about how you might be able to participate in that regard. Specifically, they are in the early stages of planning a Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies Grant.

RSVP

If you would like to attend online, please RSVP to diane.garnham@curtin.edu.au