Exploring Canadian Public Safety Communicator Mental Health Help-Seeking Behaviors

Abstract

Public safety communicators are the first line of support for members of the public-facing emergency situations. Consequently, communicators are exposed to potentially psychologically traumatic events (PPTE) which are associated with an increase in the prevalence of mental health concerns. For communicators, PPTE exposure and the subsequent negative mental health consequences are exacerbated by low engagement in mental health help-seeking behavior. We surveyed (n = 361) Canadian public safety communicators, asking “What do you think stops people from getting help for their mental health” to identify, contextualize, and provide considerations about contributors to the lack of mental health help-seeking among communicators. Emergent theme analysis reveals 7 factors that circumvent help-seeking: access barriers; self-denial; consequences of seeking help; lack of knowledge; personal feelings; stigma and culture; and support. Discovering hindrances to help-seeking identifies how factors contribute to communications employee wellness and supports the creation of effective interventions and policy implementations to support communicator mental health.