Firefighters are routinely exposed to traumatic incidents and various psychosocial stressors, placing them at a higher risk of mental health disorders compared to the general population. There is a growing body of evidence that explore the relationship between mind-body and wellness type interventions in this population, finding positive impacts on the promotion of resilience, distress tolerance and overall wellbeing. However, there is a lack of research exploring the impact of such interventions as a potential treatment for mental health conditions, and impact on return to work outcomes. Fire Rescue NSW has developed a pilot program comprising of several wellness interventions delivered in the form a short intensive program ie a “Summit” for firefighters with an active mental health condition managed under a worker’s compensation claim. Wellness interventions included breath work, cold exposure (ice bath), yoga, arts therapy, meditation, physical training and body work delivered across four days. Baseline data on firefighter mental health and wellbeing was collected in the form of DASS, PCL-5 and PWI scores. Post intervention, quantitative and qualitative data was collected at three time points: immediate post-Summit, 3-months post-Summit and 6-months post-Summit. Longitudinal analysis suggests an initial reduction in symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress and PTSD post-Summit. Symptoms increase at the 3 and 6 month time points however do not reach baseline levels. Qualitative data suggests themes of empowerment, self-efficacy, collective recovery within shared professional peer groups, and improvements in emotional, cognitive and functional domains. The pilot programme confirms existing knowledge on the benefits of wellness interventions, demonstrates positive clinical outcomes in this high risk population, and indicates strong demand for ongoing delivery of such holistic, whole-body type treatment interventions in this group.

Firefighters are routinely exposed to traumatic incidents and various psychosocial stressors, placing them at a higher risk of mental health disorders compared to the general population. There is a growing body of evidence that explore the relationship between mind-body and wellness type interventions in this population, finding positive impacts on the promotion of resilience, distress tolerance and overall wellbeing. However, there is a lack of research exploring the impact of such interventions as a potential treatment for mental health conditions, and impact on return to work outcomes. Fire Rescue NSW has developed a pilot program comprising of several wellness interventions delivered in the form a short intensive program ie a “Summit” for firefighters with an active mental health condition managed under a worker’s compensation claim. Wellness interventions included breath work, cold exposure (ice bath), yoga, arts therapy, meditation, physical training and body work delivered across four days. Baseline data on firefighter mental health and wellbeing was collected in the form of DASS, PCL-5 and PWI scores. Post intervention, quantitative and qualitative data was collected at three time points: immediate post-Summit, 3-months post-Summit and 6-months post-Summit. Longitudinal analysis suggests an initial reduction in symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress and PTSD post-Summit. Symptoms increase at the 3 and 6 month time points however do not reach baseline levels. Qualitative data suggests themes of empowerment, self-efficacy, collective recovery within shared professional peer groups, and improvements in emotional, cognitive and functional domains. The pilot programme confirms existing knowledge on the benefits of wellness interventions, demonstrates positive clinical outcomes in this high risk population, and indicates strong demand for ongoing delivery of such holistic, whole-body type treatment interventions in this group.

Firefighters are routinely exposed to traumatic incidents and various psychosocial stressors, placing them at a higher risk of mental health disorders compared to the general population. There is a growing body of evidence that explore the relationship between mind-body and wellness type interventions in this population, finding positive impacts on the promotion of resilience, distress tolerance and overall wellbeing. However, there is a lack of research exploring the impact of such interventions as a potential treatment for mental health conditions, and impact on return to work outcomes. Fire Rescue NSW has developed a pilot program comprising of several wellness interventions delivered in the form a short intensive program ie a “Summit” for firefighters with an active mental health condition managed under a worker’s compensation claim. Wellness interventions included breath work, cold exposure (ice bath), yoga, arts therapy, meditation, physical training and body work delivered across four days. Baseline data on firefighter mental health and wellbeing was collected in the form of DASS, PCL-5 and PWI scores. Post intervention, quantitative and qualitative data was collected at three time points: immediate post-Summit, 3-months post-Summit and 6-months post-Summit. Longitudinal analysis suggests an initial reduction in symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress and PTSD post-Summit. Symptoms increase at the 3 and 6 month time points however do not reach baseline levels. Qualitative data suggests themes of empowerment, self-efficacy, collective recovery within shared professional peer groups, and improvements in emotional, cognitive and functional domains. The pilot programme confirms existing knowledge on the benefits of wellness interventions, demonstrates positive clinical outcomes in this high risk population, and indicates strong demand for ongoing delivery of such holistic, whole-body type treatment interventions in this group.