A new program designed to help firefighting recruits cope with stress and anxiety after experiencing traumatic events in Western Australia could soon also be extended to their families. The resilience-building program is designed to lower post-traumatic stress symptoms in Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) recruits who have confronted bushfires and road accidents.
Curtin University clinical psychology PhD candidate Petra Skeffington developed the program, which also aims to prevent mental health issues like depression and anxiety in high-risk professions. Ms Skeffington said she had discussed with DFES the possibility of extending the program to more experienced firefighters and their families as well. "This program could be applicable to family members as well," she said. "Boosting resilience across the family unit is important, it's something that we've seen them doing in the US army in their resilience program."
[For more of this story, written by Nick Perpitch, go to http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-29/new-trauma-program-for-firefighting-recruits/5630300]
Comments (0)