A randomised controlled trial of a wellbeing and resilience program for emergency service personnel/first responders, their significant others and their supervisors

The aim of this project is to deliver quality, evidence-based programs to our three target groups (first responders, significant others, and supervisors). These programs are detailed below: First responder program 1. Members will be provided a 7-session online supported intervention. Members will receive one module (~20-40min long) per week that they will complete independently. Members receive support from a wellbeing coach who provides email/text/phone feedback and prompts based on members’ responses during the course; the coach will continue this check in monthly for 6 months. The modules include a combination of interactive questions, short videos, and informative text. Adherence and module completion is monitored through the survey platform Qualtrics. This program builds on the work conducted in the UK (Wild et al., 2018, BMJ Open) and is based on well-established cognitive behavioural techniques. Modules target key areas such as increasing flexible and resilient thinking, addressing rumination and intrusive memories, adaptive problem solving skills to manage operational and organisational stressors, health behaviours and increasing help- seeking behaviour. Significant other program 2. Significant supports of members will have access to a parallel wellbeing program (Be Well Plan). The Be Well Plan is a tailored approach delivered over 6 x 2hr group-based sessions that allows a person to identify their wellness goals and choose from several strategies and skills to foster resilience and wellbeing. The sessions will be delivered by a Be Well trainer over 6 weeks. The Be Well trainer will be an Allied health or para-professional. Sessions will be offered in both remote (videoconferencing) and in person formats, depending on participant preference/availabilities. Group session size is not capped. More than one facilitator can be used for larger groups (e.g., >20). Participants are able to assess their current wellbeing status via an online measurement tool called the Be Well Tracker, which is integrated into the training. Attendance will be monitored with an attendance log. The sessions are interactive in nature and cover topics covering mindfulness, self-compassion, adaptive coping, resilience skills, increasing social support, adaptive thinking or reframing, and consideration of values. Significant others will have access to a wellbeing coach (separate and independent from that provided to the member) throughout their participation with the Be Well program to assist with uptake and continued engagement with the program with the coach continuing to check in monthly for 6 months. More information on the Be Well program can be found at: https://www.bewellco.io. Supervisor training 3. This program involves four 1-hour seminars over four weeks for members’ senior supervisors via videoconference or face to face depending on supervisor availabilities. The seminars will be an Allied health or para-professional. Attendance will be monitored with an attendance log. These seminars will ensure consistency of messaging and ongoing promotion of a wellbeing framework from an organisational context, and topics covered include those with preliminary support from prior research, including mental health education, reducing stigma, and promoting help-seeking and skills in communicating and supporting members around mental health. Supervisors at sites randomised to access the program in the first 12 months (i.e. intervention participants) will all be offered access to the seminars.