Addressing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and trauma in those most affected by COVID–19
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About the fund
The Government of Canada recognizes the tremendous impact that PTSD has on individuals, families, caregivers, workplaces and communities. Although anyone can be at risk for PTSD following exposure to potentially psychologically traumatic events, many people face increased risks because of the nature of their jobs.
The 2021 federal budget provided $50 million to support projects that addressed PTSD and trauma in those most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, such as:
- health care providers
- frontline workers
- essential workers
There are already many promising mental health interventions that support those at risk of PTSD and trauma. Through this investment, we supported initiatives that:
- helped reduce stigma
- improved trauma-informed practice
- removed barriers to care
- made it easier for those at risk of experiencing PTSD and trauma to seek help and navigate the support system
Projects funded through this investment:
- developed, delivered and tested interventions and resources
- provided guidance and supports for affected or at risk groups, including:
- teachers
- veterans
- health care workers
- public safety personnel
- personal support and long-term care workers
This funding program delivered, evaluated and built evidence about what programs and policies work, who they work for, and the contexts they work in. It also provided the opportunity to:
- help existing programs reach new and wider audiences
- improve how programs deliver existing supports, such as:
- helping to reduce barriers like stigma
- making it easier to seek help
- promote mental health, wellness, and resilience
- provide support after someone is exposed to trauma to prevent or reduce its mental health impacts
This investment aimed to assist those most impacted by PTSD and trauma and support them on their path to healing.
Most of these projects ended in March 2024, but their resources and tools are still available.
Funded projects
Canadian Institute for Pandemic Health Education and Response
The Canadian Institute for Pandemic Health Education and Response was a time-limited task force within the Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment at the University of Regina. The team worked with existing knowledge exchange and development hubs to create one that connects projects funded through the Public Health Agency of Canada. They also supported knowledge exchange with communities and service providers who were disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Funding for this project ended in September 2024.
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Bringing mental health supports to long-term care employees in Canada
The Canadian Association for Long Term Care worked with the Mental Health Commission of Canada on this project. They customized and adapted The Working Mind program for managers, supervisors and frontline employees in long-term care homes. This project used an evidence-based program that aimed to:
- reduce the stigma of mental illness
- address and promote mental health and resiliency in the workplace
- bolster mental health expertise within long-term care homes by equipping them with facilitators certified in The Working Mind
Funding for this project ended in March 2024.
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Advancing Peer Support Programming to address PTSD and trauma among Canadian public safety personnel and Veterans
The Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment at the University of Regina delivered the Advancing Peer Support Program. They supported coordinated national approaches to peer support for public safety personnel and veterans.
This project:
- established a peer support community network to advance best peer support practices for public safety personnel in Canada
- scaled up the PeerOnCall and PeerOnCall Support mobile health apps to facilitate peer support for public safety personnel including:
- firefighters
- paramedics
- correctional workers
- public safety communicators
- developed an inventory of mental health resources supporting public safety personnel
Funding for this project ended in March 2024.
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Expansion and evaluation of the Before Operational Stress program
The Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment at the University of Regina adapted, scaled-up, and delivered the Before Operational Stress training program. This training aimed to support public safety personnel and frontline health care providers who were regularly exposed to potentially psychologically traumatic events and post-traumatic stress injuries, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Funding for this project ended in March 2024.
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PSPNET Families: Prevention resources and supports for PSP Families
The Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment created PSPNET Families by working with:
- the Child Trauma Research Centre (University of Regina)
- the Families Matter Research Group (Queen's University)
PSPNET Families developed online mental health promotion resources to support families. It is complementary to PSPNET, a federally-funded service that offers cognitive behaviour therapy online to public safety personnel.
Funding for this project ended in March 2024.
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Training and Development Program for Public Safety Personnel
The Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment at the University of Regina expanded access to enhanced resiliency-based training for frontline public safety personnel. This included the Road to Mental Readiness (R2MR) program, which was designed by the Department of National Defense to:
- reduce stigma
- reduce barriers to seeking care
- improve short-term performance
- support long-term mental health
The project expanded the program's training opportunities by:
- certifying new trainers and master trainers
- developing a French version of the program to increase its online reach
Funding for this project ended in March 2024.
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- Resiliency-based training for public safety personnel
Resilient Minds: Building the psychological strength of Indigenous and Francophone firefighters
The Canadian Mental Health Association adapted and implemented Resilient Minds to help safeguard the psychological health of Francophone and Indigenous firefighters across Canada. Resilient Minds is an evidence-based and trauma-informed peer-to-peer training program which informed firefighters about:
- trauma
- occupational stress
- trauma-informed responses
- resilience
- personal well-being
- post-traumatic growth
The adapted Resilient Minds program used their 4R Action Toolkit to build skills needed by firefighters to:
- reduce personal risks of a psychological injury
- assist peers and members of the public showing signs of a psychological distress
Funding for this project ended in March 2024.
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Educator Well-being during Pandemic Recovery: Supporting the mental health of teachers and education workers
This project was led by the Canadian Teachers' Federation, and aimed to help teachers build resilience and promote their mental health across the country. They used existing platforms and capacity-building models to deliver:
- support networks
- a virtual mental health intervention
- supportive community discussion platforms
Funding for this project ended in March 2024.
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National trauma- and violence-informed train-the-trainer mentorship program
The Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation implemented a national trauma- and violence-informed "train-the-trainer" mentorship program. It aimed to address trauma and PTSD among harm reduction and peer support workers with lived and living experience of substance use.
Funding for this project ended in December 2024.
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Promoting Indigenous mental wellness and health equity in the wake of COVID-19
The Indigenous Primary Health Care Council developed culturally-relevant mental health education, training, tools and resources for Indigenous health care providers in Ontario working on the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic. This enhanced integrated access to care and developed Indigenous-specific, strength-based and culturally-relevant mental health performance indicators.
Funding for this project ended in March 2024.
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Revel: Improving health care and well-being
MacDonald Franklin OSI Research Centre at Lawson Health Sciences London implemented Revel, a wellness initiative that uses a whole-of-organization approach. It provided a framework, tools and interventions for workplace mental health that recognize and engage health care workers at all levels of an organization, including:
- leaders
- frontline staff
- physicians
- administrative and support staff
Funding for this project ended in March 2024.
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Beyond Silence: Advancing E-mental health solutions to support Canadian health care workers
McMaster University evaluated the implementation and impact of Beyond Silence, a new mobile mental health app. It intended to promote early intervention and mental health support for frontline health care workers. The app was designed to reduce the mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic by promoting:
- on-demand access to high quality information
- links to local resources
- private connections to peer support through phone- or text-trained providers
Funding for this project ended in March 2024.
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Healthcare Salute: Thank-you for your service. An ongoing surveillance and knowledge mobilization plan to support the needs of Canadian health care professionals impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic
McMaster University developed evidence-based resources for affected and at-risk health care workers, including mental health literacy tools to help recognize trauma- and stress-related experiences. The Healthcare Salute project also equipped health care and allied organizations to recognize and support health care workers affected by trauma and PTSD.
Funding for this project ended in March 2024.
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Evidence-based guidelines, guidance and effective interventions for addressing PTSD and trauma: An environmental scan and gap analysis
McMaster University is developing an inventory of evidence-based guidelines, guidance and effective interventions for addressing PTSD and trauma. They will also conduct a gaps analysis to identify areas where support exists and where it's lacking. These products will be made accessible to the public, including health care professionals and other service providers.
This project ends in March 2025.
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