A pilot project at the University of Regina will offer online therapy to public safety workers.

The program lasting 8-to-16 weeks allows police, fire, paramedics and border officers to deal with feelings of anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress.

Unit Executive Director Dr. Heather Hadjistavropolous says this is an extension of what their Online Therapy Unit has been doing successfully for the last ten years.

She says the online availability is extremely valuable for public safety employees in rural and remote areas because of their unconventional and long hours on the job.

Hadjistavropolous also says it can be a way for reluctant or intimidated patients to start therapy or others at the end of the cycle.

The pilot project is an extension of what the unit has been doing over the past ten years and
Hadjistavropolous feels they have an excellent track record of successful treatment which forms a foundation for this project.

The Unit will analyze patient files for a year following completion of the program in part to find ways to improve service delivery.

Federal health officials also hope the pilot will serve as a model for developing similar projects around the country.