What is it about?
This study looked at how well mental health supports are working for public safety workers in Ontario, Canada. This included border services officers, communicators, correctional workers, firefighters, paramedics, and police officers. What did researchers do? Surveyed 644 workers (June–December 2024) Conducted 15 follow-up interviews (January–February 2025)
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Photo by Scott Rodgerson on Unsplash
Why is it important?
Public safety workers are regularly exposed to traumatic and stressful events, putting them at high risk for mental health problems like PTSD, depression, and burnout. The costs — both human and financial — are significant.
Perspectives
Key Findings Correctional workers and border services officers reported the highest stress and mental distress. Firefighters and police reported lower stress and higher engagement at work. Common supports available included peer support programs, critical incident debriefing, and extended health benefits. Workers had low trust in internal mental health programs and preferred using their extended health benefits over employer-run programs. Main Takeaway Workers felt that most mental health programs were too generic and didn't address real workplace problems like understaffing, poor leadership, and lack of control over their work. What do researchers recommend? More tailored, occupation-specific mental health supports that address the root causes of workplace stress, not just individual coping strategies.
Megan Edgelow
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Ontario public safety personnel experiences of workplace mental wellness supports, PLOS Mental Health, June 2026, PLOS,
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmen.0000558.
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