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Volume 22
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10.3390/ijerph22081269
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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

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

by
Sandra E. Moll
1,*,
Rosemary Ricciardelli
2,
R. Nicholas Carleton
3,
Joy C. MacDermid
4,
Stephen Czarnuch
5 and
Renée S. MacPhee
6,7
1
School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
2
School of Maritime Studies, Fisheries and Marine Institute, Memorial University; St. John’s, NL A1C 5R3, Canada
3
Department of Psychology, University of Regina; Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada
4
School of Physical Therapy, University of Western Ontario; London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
5
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Memorial University; St. John’s, NL A1C 5S7, Canada
6
Department of Kinesiology & Physical Education, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON N2L 3C5, Canada
7
Department of Health Sciences, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON N2L 3C5, Canada
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(8), 1269; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22081269
Submission received: 22 June 2025 / Revised: 4 August 2025 / Accepted: 8 August 2025 / Published: 13 August 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Workplace Health and Wellbeing Research and Evaluation)
Versions Notes

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 m-health; first responder; mental health; implementation science

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Moll, S.E.; Ricciardelli, R.; Carleton, R.N.; MacDermid, J.C.; Czarnuch, S.; MacPhee, R.S. PeerOnCall: Evaluating Implementation of App-Based Peer Support in Canadian Public Safety Organizations. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22, 1269. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22081269

AMA Style

Moll SE, Ricciardelli R, Carleton RN, MacDermid JC, Czarnuch S, MacPhee RS. PeerOnCall: Evaluating Implementation of App-Based Peer Support in Canadian Public Safety Organizations. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2025; 22(8):1269. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22081269

Chicago/Turabian Style

Moll, Sandra E., Rosemary Ricciardelli, R. Nicholas Carleton, Joy C. MacDermid, Stephen Czarnuch, and Renée S. MacPhee. 2025. "PeerOnCall: Evaluating Implementation of App-Based Peer Support in Canadian Public Safety Organizations" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 22, no. 8: 1269. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22081269

APA Style

Moll, S. E., Ricciardelli, R., Carleton, R. N., MacDermid, J. C., Czarnuch, S., & MacPhee, R. S. (2025). PeerOnCall: Evaluating Implementation of App-Based Peer Support in Canadian Public Safety Organizations. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 22(8), 1269. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22081269

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