Abstract
Background
Public safety personnel (PSP) experience occupational stressors and potentially psychologically traumatic events, which increase the odds of screening positive for mental health disorders, and the risk of suicide. This study estimates suicidal ideation, planning, and attempts among Canadian PSP, and assesses associations with Emotional Resilience Skills Training (ERST).
Method
The current study uses a longitudinal prospective sequential experimental cohort design that engages participants for approximately 16 months. Participants (n = 186, 60.5% men) were administered the structured Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview at three time points relative to the ERST: pre-training, post-training, and 1-year follow-up.
Results
At pre-training, PSP reported past-month suicidal ideation (n = 24; 12.9%), planning (n = 7; 3.8%), and no attempts. At post-training, PSP reported past-month suicidal ideation (n = 12; 10.1%), suicidal planning (n < 5), and no attempts (n = 0). At the 1-year follow-up, PSP reported past-month suicidal ideation (n = 7; 12.5%), and no planning (n = 0) or attempts (n = 0).
Conclusions
The results indicate suicide-related challenges for PSP, particularly PSP who self-identify as women and females. The results suggest sector-specific differences in suicide attempts, indicating unique sector-specific challenges among PSP. The results evidenced reductions in suicidal ideation and planning directly after ERST; however, attrition impacted analyses at 1-year follow-up. Additional sector-specific mixed-methods research would help inform suicide mitigation strategies.
Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05530642. Hypotheses Registration: aspredicted.org, #90136. Registered 7 March 2022—Prospectively registered
