CompletedNot Applicable

Delivering ICBT to Address Mental Health Challenges in Correctional Officers and Other Public Safety Personnel

Canada110 participantsStarted 2020-07-01

Plain-language summary

Public safety personnel (PSP) have regular and often intense exposure to potentially traumatic events at work and are at higher risk for developing mental health problems such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Studies have shown up to 4 times higher suicidal ideation, attempt and death among this population compared to the general population. Despite the high rate of mental health problems among PSPs, their willingness to receive mental healthcare support is fairly low, mainly due to the stigma attached to these disorders. Those who are willing to seek help face unique barriers including their irregular shift hours, limiting their access to resources otherwise available to the public. Given these challenges and the critical contribution of PSPs to public safety, developing innovative solutions to address their mental health must be a healthcare priority. This proposal aims to study the efficacy of using an innovative approach in delivering mental health online, to address mental health problems among correctional workers (CW), who are especially prone to mental health problems given the high rate of workplace violence. It is hypothesized that using an online platform to deliver cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), would lower the stigma of receiving care in a secure and confidential environment, easing CW's concerns about stigma from co-workers. The content is delivered through interactive and engaging therapy modules, designed for specific groups of CWs and customized by situational examples to make therapy more relatable. These online modules would provide CWs with 24/7 access to therapy content, solving the irregular work hour problem. The online CBT modules developed in this study would provide high quality and clinically validated resources to address mental health problems of CWs all across Canada. Knowledge acquired through this project could also be beneficial to using iCBT in general for addressing mental health challenges among other PSPs.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 55 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Correctional worker or public safety personnel * Diagnosis of either Major Depressive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder * Competence to provide informed consent and participate * Speak and read English * Consistent and reliable access to the internet Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of hypomanic/manic episodes * Psychosis * Severe alcohol or substance abuse disorder * Active suicidal or homicidal ideation

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Change in Symptoms (Depression and Anxiety Scale - DASS 42 Item)

Timeframe: Baseline, week 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 6-month follow-up, 12-month follow-up

Change in Symptoms (Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction - Q-LES-Q)

Timeframe: Baseline, week 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 6-month follow-up, 12-month follow-up

Change in Symptoms (Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptoms Self Report - QIDS-SR 16 Item)

Timeframe: Baseline, week 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 6-month follow-up, 12-month follow-up

Change in Symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire - PHQ 9 Item)

Timeframe: Baseline, week 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 6-month follow-up, 12-month follow-up

Change in Symptoms (Generalized Anxiety Disorder - GAD 7)

Timeframe: Baseline, week 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 6-month follow-up, 12-month follow-up

Change in Symptoms (PTSD Checklist - PCL-5)

Timeframe: Baseline, week 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 6-month follow-up, 12-month follow-up

Trial details

NCT IDNCT04666974

SponsorDr. Nazanin Alavi

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2024-08-30

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