Visual Imagery and Trauma in Paramedics

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We are conducting research to understand how people process visual memories after experiencing significant events, including potentially traumatic events. The aim of this study is to investigate how individual differences in thinking styles (e.g., visual imagery) relate to the processing of potentially traumatic events in paramedics/trainees. ​
Video courtesy of the Medavie Foundation
Why This Matters:
Visual memory plays a crucial role in how we remember and interpret past experiences. Some people recall events with vivid detail, while others remember in a more general, gist-like way. These differences can influence how we cope with and recover from challenging or traumatic experiences. Click here to visit resources available for paramedics.

Who We Are Looking For:
We are inviting students currently registered in a paramedic program in Canada to participate in our study. As professionals who frequently encounter significant events, your insights are invaluable to our research.
What Participation Involves:
Participants will be asked to:
  • Complete Initial Questionnaires: A set of online questionnaires about visual imagery, memory, mental health, and previous exposure to potentially psychologically traumatic events. This will take about 1 hour.
  • Monthly Follow-Up Surveys: Brief 10-minute surveys each month for a minimum of 6 months to a maximum of 2 years, asking about any potentially psychologically traumatic events.
​Participants will be compensated $20 per hour for their time.
Join Us:
If you are interested in contributing to this important research, please contact us via our email. Your involvement can make a difference in our understanding of memory and resilience.

Mental Health Resources Available to Paramedics

The following resources are available to public safety personnel who require mental health assistance, including problems in relation to exposure to potentially traumatic events.
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Free Internet Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Public safety personnel and their families can access CBT through the Public Safety Personnel Network (PSPNet) of the Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment (CIPSRT) at this link:  https://www.pspnet.ca/en/for-psp/about-pspnet

Public Safety Personnel (PSP) Mental Health Resources 
PSP Mental Health provides free access to a list of mental health support available to Canadian public safety personnel (PSP) and their families. https://www.pspnet.ca/​

First Responder Assist (Wounded Warriors & Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences)
First Responder Assist provides a clinical team dedicated to serving the psychological needs of First Responders in the province and offers prevention services, crisis support, individual treatment and clinical training. https://woundedwarriors.ca/our-programs/first-responder-assist/​

Mental health resources for first responders and public safety personnel (Government of Ontario)
Mental health resources for serving and retired first responders and public safety personnel, and their families. https://www.ontario.ca/page/mental-health-resources-first-responders-and-public-safety-personnel​

ConnexOntario
ConnexOntario connects you to Mental Health, Addictions and Gambling Support services, for free. One call. One text. One tap. 24/7. https://connexontario.ca/

Wounded Warriors Canada (WWC)
WWC specializes in providing culturally informed services that utilize a combination of education, counselling, and training approaches to support resiliency and recovery from post-trauma injuries.
For training: https://woundedwarriors.ca/for-training/ 
For clinical services: https://woundedwarriors.ca/clinical-services/

Caring for the Paramedic Community (Mental Health Commission of Canada)
Caring for the Paramedic Community is a unique and free resource developed specifically to assess, protect and promote psychological health and safety in paramedic service organizations. https://caringforparamedics.com/

Therapy programs (Ontario only) and resources are offered through Wounded Warriors/Ontario Shores: https://www.ontarioshores.ca/services/first-responder-assist
 
Paramedics in Ontario may access psychological services at no cost via the following links:
  1. Ask for help or determine what services might be best for you: https://askforhelptoday.ca/
  2. Go to the Ontario Psychological Association webpage: https://www.psych.on.ca and click “Find a Psychologist.”


 
If you have thoughts of self-harm and are in Canada, please see: https://988.ca/ or call 988 (Hotline).
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If you have any questions, comments or if you are interested in participating in this study, email the research team by clicking the logo on the left or by clicking here.​