PeerOnCall: Evaluating Implementation of App-Based Peer Support in Canadian Public Safety Organizations

Sandra E. Moll (), Rosemary Ricciardelli, R. Nicholas Carleton, Joy C. MacDermid, Stephen Czarnuch and Renée S. MacPhee
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Sandra E. Moll: School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
Rosemary Ricciardelli: School of Maritime Studies, Fisheries and Marine Institute, Memorial University, St. John’s, NL A1C 5R3, Canada
R. Nicholas Carleton: Department of Psychology, University of Regina, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada
Joy C. MacDermid: School of Physical Therapy, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
Stephen Czarnuch: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Memorial University, St. John’s, NL A1C 5S7, Canada
Renée S. MacPhee: Department of Kinesiology & Physical Education, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON N2L 3C5, Canada

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 8, 1-16

Abstract: Public safety personnel (PSP), including correctional workers, firefighters, paramedics, police, and public safety communicators, are at increased risk for posttraumatic stress injury, yet face barriers in receiving timely support. Mobile health (mHealth) applications (apps) offer promising avenues for confidential, on-demand access to relevant information and support. The purpose of this study was to assess implementation of PeerOnCall , a new mHealth platform designed by and for PSP (the platform includes two parallel apps: one for frontline workers and one for peer support providers). A multi-site mixed methods implementation trial was conducted over 3−6 months in 42 public safety organizations across Canada. App usage trends were tracked through software analytics, and facilitators and barriers to app use were explored via interviews with organizational champions. Over 11,300 employees across 42 organizations were invited to use the PeerOnCall app over the trial period, with approximately 1759 PSP (15% of total) downloading the app. Variation within and across sectors was evident in app downloads and feature use. Approaches to communication (mode, timing, and messenger), and organizational culture related to mental health and help outreach affected uptake levels. PeerOnCall is a promising tool to facilitate access to peer support; however, culturally relevant strategies are needed to overcome barriers and integrate this tool into workplace practices.

Keywords: m-health; first responder; mental health; implementation science (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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