New partnership with Wayfound Mental Health Group offers a proactive approach to mental health training added to Primary and Advanced Care Paramedic programs at SAIT
A new partnership between the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) and Wayfound Mental Health Group will support a foundational commitment to mental health training for first responders through the permanent addition of the Before Operational Stress (BOS) program to paramedic education at SAIT.
As the first post-secondary institution in North America to offer this training, SAIT is signaling a shift in the paradigm by building mandatory, proactive mental health education into the curriculum. By prioritizing an approach to protecting the mental health of future paramedical professionals, SAIT is setting a new standard for mitigating the risk of fatigue and burnout caused by the psychological demands on trauma exposed professions.
"By building mental health training into our students' education, we're investing in their futures and reinforcing a resilient foundation in the industry," says Jimmy Joy, Academic Chair, School of Health and Public Safety, SAIT. "With this training, our graduates will enter the workforce better prepared and equipped to manage the psychological stresses of their chosen profession."
A 2023 Parkland Institute study highlighted the need for enhanced mental health support and training for paramedics in Alberta and the importance of prioritizing a "Paramedics First" approach that centres the well-being of frontline workers.
"Just as we train our students to master clinical assessments and skills, it's equally important to invest in education that fosters their mental well-being," says Nathan Biswanger, SAIT Instructor and Advanced Care Paramedic. "By teaching strategies for self-care and promoting a supportive peer environment from the outset, we are developing practitioners to excel in their careers and thrive as individuals outside of this demanding profession."
Combining theoretical and experiential learning, BOS is a resiliency-based program that teaches frontline professionals how to mitigate the effects of operational stress through a proactive approach to mental health.
"We applaud the innovation and wisdom demonstrated by SAIT to arm their new paramedic students with skills to protect their mental wellness at the start of their careers," says Dr. Megan McElheran, Clinical Psychologist and Wayfound Chief Executive Officer. "This is a groundbreaking step SAIT has taken, and they exemplify with action what it means to take care of their students and the professionals they are developing."
After two years as an elective offering to SAIT paramedical students through research funding accessed by Wayfound, the eight-module certification program has been adopted by the School of Health and Public Safety under the fitness and wellness component of curriculum. As an evidence-informed program, BOS was developed by leading mental health experts and psychologists to provide practical tools for frontline workers to manage operational stress.
