RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Risk and Resiliency Factors in the RCMP: A Prospective Investigation

This research focuses on the mental health of new recruits in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), who often deal with very stressful situations. It's called the 'RCMP Study' and aims to discover what factors protect their mental health and what might put it at risk. The ultimate goal is to find better ways to prevent and treat conditions like PTSD and depression among police and other emergency service workers. Participants will be monitored over several years to see how different training methods affect their well-being. This information will help develop more effective support and training programs for those who serve our communities.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University of Regina

Enrolment target

960

Start

22 Apr 2019

Estimated completion

01 Dec 2029

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Major Depressive Disorder Panic Disorder Generalized Anxiety Disorder Trauma Traumatic Stress Disorder Trauma and Stress Related Disorders Vicarious Trauma

What is this study about?

This important study is looking into the mental health of people joining the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Canada's national police force. These officers, like many other emergency workers, often face difficult and upsetting events that can affect their mental well-being, sometimes leading to conditions like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or depression.

The 'RCMP Study' wants to understand why some people cope better than others when exposed to these stresses. Researchers will be looking at what helps people stay mentally strong (we call these 'resilience factors') and what might make them more vulnerable to mental health challenges ('risk factors'). The aim is to gather strong evidence to develop new, more effective ways to support the mental health of police officers and other emergency services personnel, not just in Canada but potentially worldwide.

Participants will be followed for several years, with some receiving standard training and others getting special 'emotional resilience skills training'. By comparing these groups, the study hopes to find out if this extra training makes a real difference in preventing mental health problems and improving overall well-being for those who dedicate their lives to public service.

Key takeaways

A major study focusing on mental health in Canadian police recruits (RCMP).
Aims to find out what protects or harms mental well-being in stressful jobs.
Compares standard training to special resilience training.
Involves regular check-ups and surveys over five years.
Hopes to create better mental health support for all emergency workers.
You must be a new RCMP cadet to participate.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you must be a cadet who is just starting the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) training program. This study is specifically designed for new recruits.

If you are not an RCMP cadet starting the training program, or if you are already further along in your training or career, then this particular study is not suitable for you.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 19 and 57 years old?
Are you male or female?
Are you starting the RCMP Cadet Training Program?
Are you NOT already an experienced RCMP officer or staff?
Are you NOT already in the middle or end of your cadet training?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, you'll be involved for five years. You'll complete assessments before and after your initial training, and then once a year on your joining date. You'll also take part in shorter surveys every month and some even daily. There aren't any specific medications involved; the study is looking at the effects of training and monitoring, with some participants receiving special Emotional Resilience Skills Training (ERST) during their initial period.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could help improve mental health support for police officers and other emergency service workers in the future. While there are no direct medication risks, some individuals might find the questionnaires about their mental health and experiences emotionally challenging. You are always free to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and this will not affect your training or employment with the RCMP.

Locations (1)

University of Regina
Verified postcode
Regina, Canada· Recruiting

Common questions

What is PTSD?

PTSD stands for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. It's a mental health condition that some people develop after experiencing or seeing a very frightening, shocking, or dangerous event.

Who is running this study?

This study is being run by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) as part of a larger Canadian Government effort to improve mental health for emergency workers.

Will my information be kept private?

Yes, details about you and your answers will be kept confidential to protect your privacy and ensure your information is used only for the study's research purposes.

What does a 'resilience factor' mean?

A resilience factor is something that helps a person bounce back from difficult experiences or manage stress effectively, protecting their mental well-being.

How long will I be in the study if I join?

If you join, you will be part of the study for five years.

How to find out more

R. Nicholas Carleton, PhD

nick.carleton@uregina.ca 306-337-2387 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.