Research Project with the Black Dog Institute
Our Research Project with the Black Dog Institute has commenced on the 28th June 2016 with our first session being delivered at Augusta Volunteer Fire & Rescue Brigade, followed by the next session with Margaret River Volunteer Fire & Rescue Brigade.
Our thanks to Black Dog Institute, Department of Fire & Emergency Service and the Volunteer Fire & Rescue Service Association for all their assistance.
Black Dog Institute is partnering with Behind The Seen and the WA Department of Fire and Emergency Services in an innovative research project which will look at the effectiveness of improving health and wellbeing of first responders through a grass roots initiative: pilot evaluation of the Behind The Seen program.
“To the best of our knowledge, this will be the first pragmatic evaluation of such a program and if effective, is likely to have considerable benefits for first responders Australia wide. If effective, then other first responders with lived experience could be trained to facilitate the BTS program ensuring a scalable and translational outcome of this project. “ Dr Simon Rosenbaum.
The partnerships follows on from the recently launched PTSD Expert Guidelines which provide clear and evidenced-based protocols for identifying and managing PTSD in emergency services personnel, as well as addressing common co-morbidities such as depression, anxiety and substance use.
Black Dog Institute was founded in 2002 and is a world-leader in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of depression, bipolar disorder and suicide. As an organisation, they place focus on the rapid translation of quality research into improved clinical practice, increased accessibility for consumers, and delivery of long-term public health solutions.
