Expansion and Evaluation of the Before Operational Stress Project (BOS)
Watch the BOS promotional video.
Get an introduction to the BOS training and study.
The Expansion and Evaluation of the Before Operational Stress (BOS) project offers evidence-informed training to public safety personnel and frontline healthcare workers across Canada who are regularly exposed to psychologically traumatic events and posttraumatic stress injuries in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada the original 2022-2023 initiative has served over 71,000 frontline workers. An extension to the project will offer the BOS program to an additional 1500 participants in a new and improved online format.
The new BOS online program hosts all the original program content with the following upgrades:
Updated production
Additional Clinicians
New guests offering lived frontline experience from EMS, Law Enforcement, Fire, and Healthcare
Special versions for the PSP and healthcare sectors
The BOS online program is ideal for the nontraditional schedules of frontline organizations.
Participants complete at their own pace, at a time that works best for them.
Ideal solution for flexibility in mental health training.
Self-directed modality with opportunities for in-depth, self-reflective practice and implementation.
Full organizational implementation supports are available. Contact bosadmin@wayfound.ca for further information on how you can bring BOS to your organization through this limited-time, funded opportunity.
Project News
We are excited to share that the Expansion and Evaluation of the Before Operational Stress program has received extended funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada until March 2024. The new funding will support the development and distribution of the updated BOS training from Wayfound, and allow CIPSRT to conduct an independent evaluation of BOS. This extension marks a significant step forward, enabling Wayfound to refine the training program with upgraded production, a bolstered team of clinicians, compelling new guest speakers, and the development of specialized resources to meet the needs of both Public Safety Personnel and Healthcare Workers. With the new funding, CIPSRT will also continue to conduct independent evaluations of the effectiveness of the BOS program and contribute to crucial research.
BOS has been shown to have a small but significant positive impact on the mental health of Public Safety Personnel (read the full study here – https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.511755) and we look forward to expanding on this research with more extensive studies and more options for BOS delivery modalities.
We are grateful to the Public Health Agency of Canada for their steadfast commitment to advancing mental health research and supporting projects aimed at aiding Canadian Public Safety Personnel and Healthcare Workers
Read the full CIPSRT news release: CIPSRT | We are happy to announce a funding extension agreement has been reached with the Public Health Agency of Canada (cipsrt-icrtsp.ca)
Project Resources
BOS Participant Information
The University of Regina conducted an independent research study to evaluate the BOS program. Here is who participated in the study.
BOS Resiliency Training
BOS provides immediate support through a resiliency-based training program that empowers first responders and other Public Safety Personnel (PSP), frontline workers, and healthcare workers to care for their mental health.
BOS Training Modules
Get an introduction to the different modules covered in BOS and how they are presented.
Be the BOS of your mental health.
Project Team
Gabriela Ioachim, PhD: Project Lead
Nicholas Carelton, PhD R.D. Psych: Principal Investigator
Kirby Maguire, BA: Co-investigator
Donna Dowler, B. Ed, PMP, TOGAF9, ICD.D: Project Manager
Nicole Bolt, PhD: Post-Doctoral Fellow
Megan McElheran, R.Psych: Senior Supervising Clinician
Rhea Rennebohm, BA Hons: Project Administration
Andrii Shulgin, MSc: Research Assistant
Jilani Dabhoya, BSc: Research Assistant