The Resilience at Work (RAW) Mindfulness Program: The development and evaluation of an online mindfulness based training program aimed at enhancing psychological resilience and wellbeing among Emergency Workers

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BACKGROUND It is well established that emergency workers have increased rates of psychiatric morbidity, which is presumed to be related to their regular exposure to potentially traumatic events. However, to date there is very limited information regarding what strategies may enhance psychological resilience among emergency workers. The RAW program has been developed in close consultation with the emergency services, meaning the findings of the evaluation study are likely to have direct translational benefits. It is anticipated that an engaging and interactive online program will help address the issue of accessibility and delivery that NSW Fire and Rescue faces in terms of offering psychological training and support to their workers. This program differs markedly from the first generation of online therapy programs, which have typically involved the reproduction of cognitive therapy manuals into an online format. Rather than sifting through wordy paragraphs on a website, the RAW Mind program will involve the worker in a highly interactive process of learning by utilising a combination of video vignettes, interactive exercises, audio and animation. To ensure the training is memorable, it will be delivered in a series of six short, attention-grabbing segments, running no longer than 20 minutes. The program will provide firefighters with quick access to a range of adaptive skills, which could enhance their ability to manage stress and cope with trauma more effectively. These core skills are derived from the principles underpinning a number of evidence based cognitive therapies including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness based Cognitive Therapy (mBCT) and Mindfulness based Stress Reduction (MBSR). Aims and Objectives The proposed study seeks to examine the effectiveness of a new online mindfulness-based resilience program for emergency workers. Specifically, it will examine whether a combined program of mindfulness training, evidence-based cognitive therapy skills and psychoeducation will increase overall psychological resilience and well-being of emergency workers. Hypotheses: The study will evaluate the effectiveness of the RAW Mindfulness Program to test the following hypotheses: 1. There will be no difference between the intervention and the control group at the point of baseline 2. At baseline, participants with greater mindfulness scores will have higher resilience and bounce-back resilience scores 3. Post training, the intervention group will report higher levels of resilience, bounce-back resilience, and well-being and lower levels of psychological symptoms and maladaptive coping strategies. 4. These differences will be maintained at 6 month follow up If all of the above hypotheses are confirm, this would provide substantial evidence that combined mindfulness training, cognitive therapy skills and psychoeducation is not only useful in terms of building psychological resilience but is also capable of changing firefighters ability to cope and manage stress in an effective and positive way. This project will represent the first ever published RCT of resilience training amongst emergency workers. This resilience program, has been developed in close consultation with the FRNSW, meaning the findings of the evaluation program are likely to have direct translational benefits in terms of informing future prevention programs for emergency services personnel.