The Pitt Center for Emergency Responder Wellness

Emergency responders protect the public despite occupational hazards that threaten their mental health. The Pitt Center for Emergency Responder Wellness will be a clinical innovation hub that: 1) delivers accessible interventions for promoting mental health and overall wellbeing; 2) trains the next generation of students to provide mental health care for emergency responders; and 3) informs scientific understanding of post-trauma recovery processes. Goals for the seed phase are to establish our team and collect pilot data to demonstrate feasibility and initial clinical impact.

Emergency responders protect the public despite occupational hazards that threaten their mental health. This Center will be a clinical innovation hub that: 1) delivers accessible interventions for promoting mental health and overall wellbeing; 2) trains the next generation of graduate students to provide mental health care for emergency responders; and 3) informs scientific understanding of post-trauma recovery processes. Goals for the seed phase are to establish our team and collect pilot data to demonstrate feasibility and initial clinical impact. In this pilot study, the investigators will demonstrate feasibility by treating 30 eligible emergency responders (up to 60 total participants will be enrolled). The investigators will document treatment acceptability via treatment completion rates. The investigators will document treatment effects by measuring changes in mental health symptoms and quality of life. The investigators will disseminate our findings via conference presentations and manuscripts. The investigators will train graduate students in working with this specialized population.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Participants will be age 18 or older.
2. They will be emergency responders defined as fire fighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical service personnel, emergency room medical providers (physicians, nurses, physician assistants), emergency dispatchers, and emergency response trainees who have completed training experiences in which they encountered emergencies.
3. They must reside in Pennsylvania.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Are unable or unwilling to complete the study procedures.
2. Receiving another form of therapy our counseling for anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress, or alcohol use problems. Attendance at self-help programs (e.g., Alcoholics Anonymous) and couples therapy is permitted.
3. Have a history of a psychotic disorder or bipolar disorder.
4. Endorse drug use and symptoms consistent with a non-alcohol substance use disorder except nicotine, caffeine, or cannabis.
5. Are experiencing a current suicidal or homicidal crisis warranting immediate intervention: potential participants may participate later once stabilized.
6. Are currently awaiting the outcome of litigation involving their employment or training as emergency responders or any other reason deemed by the study team to be potentially related to their mental health.
7. Evidence severe organic brain impairment as evidenced by a major apparent disruption of consciousness, cognition, speech, or behavior that would likely interfere with treatment.