What is
BOS On Demand?
Formerly known as BOS Online
BOS (Before Operational Stress) On Demand is an evidence-informed self-study program specifically designed for public safety personnel, frontline workers, and military. The program was developed by leading mental health experts and psychologists to provide practical tools for frontline workers to manage operational stress. It’s about training for your mental health before occupational stress happens.
Who is eligible for this training?
BOS is designed for all those who serve on the frontline or in a supporting role. This includes Public Safety Personnel(PSP) such as EMS & Paramedics, Firefighters, ByLaw & Law Enforcement Officers, and Corrections. Additionally, BOS is designed for Legal Personnel, Military Personnel, Nurses & Physicians, Airport Personnel, and any other high-risk position.
BOS is not suitable for individuals who (1) for whatever reason, are unable to attend most sessions and be psychologically present; (2) are actively suicidal or homicidal, or who have been actively suicidal or homicidal in the last six months without professional support and/or intervention; (3) who are currently or recently experiencing untreated symptoms of psychosis (e.g. voices, paranoia)
What are the benefits of this training?
• Empowering you with knowledge, tools and skills to take care of your mental health.
• Enhancing your self-awareness by understanding your own emotions, triggers, unhelpful thought patterns, and how to transform them.
• Reducing daily stress with better emotional regulation and self-understanding. Help you connect with your loved ones deeper.
• Enhanced effective communication skills, lead to better relationships at work and at home.
• Improved decision-making by creating an internal environment of clear thinking, and emotional regulations.
• Better conflict resolutions, learn the skills to regulate yourself and communicate assertively to navigate difficult conflicts towards better outcomes.
• Long-term wellbeing with consistent mental health training, you will lead a sustained higher quality of life.
How long is the BOS Online training?
BOS On Demand: This is a self-paced online training with 8 modules. The total duration is between 6-8 hours. You can complete it at your own pace.
What will I be learning inside BOS?
BOS On Demand Details
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• Self-study online program that you can study anywhere and anytime
• You can complete at your own pace and your own schedule
• Ideal for you if you are looking for flexibility in mental health training.
• Provides you with self-directed modality, full of opportunities for in-depth, self-reflective practice and implementation.
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1 person per sign-up. The program is self-study.
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This is a self-study online program.
Total: 8 pre-recorded modules with video learning materials & PDFs.
Each module is approximately 1 hour long with curated psycho-educational content delivered by our trained experts.
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This program is go-at-your-own-pace. The entire program is 6-8 hours long, with 8 modules
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Yes
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This program does not provide psychological therapy support.
BOS Learning Modules
Take a look inside!
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The first module is designed to establish group expectations and define operational stress, operational stress injuries (OSIs), compassion fatigue, moral injury, and other terms relevant to the mental health of public safety personnel (PSP). The module also provides a brief overview of the history of Stoic service culture, when Stoicism can be helpful, and when Stoicism can be hurtful. Functional disconnection and reconnection (FD/FR) is introduced as a mechanism through which PSP can take an active role in transitioning between occupational and personal identities.
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The second module focusses on brain development with emphasis on how the stress response has evolved to support the survival of our species.
The discussion centers on the autonomic nervous system and its sympathetic and parasympathetic branches, hormonal dysregulation, and the impact that chronic stress can have on the brain.
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The third module focusses on how unprocessed trauma can impact the nervous system, particularly in terms of dysregulation of the stress response, and describe OSIs as reflecting stress dysregulation. Participants learn how OSIs may manifest in hyper- or hypo- arousal of the nervous system as part of presenting the window of tolerance, and how to use the window of tolerance as a self-monitoring/self-awareness tool.
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The fourth module is designed to highlight the connections between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors through a discussion of automatic thoughts, cognitive distortions, and cognitive biases. Facilitators emphasize the importance of monitoring thoughts and ways to disrupt unhelpful thinking patterns when they are noticed.
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The fifth module is designed to increase emotional awareness, describe the purpose of emotions, and help participants understand how emotions can help make sense of experiences. Cultural and societal influences are discussed, followed by how cultural expectations can lead to the suppression of perceived unacceptable emotions.
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The sixth module focusses on the role of avoidance in maintaining anxiety and post trauma reactions, and how avoidance can interfere with the natural process of recovery. The concepts of habituation and in vivo exposure are introduced. Gradual exposure is proposed as a means of reducing problematic avoidance behaviours, with discussions of engagement strategies to increase self-efficacy.
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The seventh module is designed to discuss how operational stress can negatively impact communication. Key communication skills are presented to enhance interpersonal understanding.
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The eighth and final module is designed to introduce how empathy can be helpful to the individual and the community they serve but can also be a vulnerability during the PSP career. FD/FR is revisited as a strategy to balance the paradox of empathy. PSP are encouraged to draw upon different skills and values when engaged in occupational functions compared to personal roles. Self-awareness is necessary to differentiate these identities through an intentional, actionable process. PSP are encouraged throughout the final module to identify specific strategies they will employ to facilitate FD/FR.
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• Active Relaxation Skills
• The 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Exercise
• Combatting Distortions
• How to Calm Down Catastrophic Thinking
• Functional Disconnection/Recommendation Strategies
BOS Content Preview
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![Window of tolerance, psychology, mental health for first responders and PSP]()
Dr. Siegel founded the concept of “window of tolerance”. This is a concept in psychology that refers to the optimal range of emotional arousal that an individual can effectively cope with stressors and emotions. When a person is within their window of tolerance, they can manage challenges and engage in healthy behaviours.
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![Cognitive-behavioural Cycle, psychology, mental health for first responders and PSP]()
This is the Cognitive-behavioural Cycle, a dynamic interplay between our thoughts, emotions, physical sensations and behaviours. It illustrates how our thoughts shape our feelings, and bodily reactions, which in turn influence how we behave.
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![it is healthy to disconnect from work for psp and first responders to take care of mental health, prevent depression, anxiety]()
The Functional Disconnection and Reconnection Cycle (FD/FR) is a concept used in therapy particularly in the context of first responders’ relationships with their work, personal life and family life. In order to successfully manage operational stress, members must understand how to healthily disconnect and reconnect.
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![Emotional wheel for mental health awareness, proactive mental health for psp and first responders, have emotional awareness, prevent occupational stress]()
An emotion wheel is a circular graph that depicts the range of human emotions and how they relate to one another. Created by psychologist Robert Plutchik, Ph.D., most modern versions of the emotion wheel have 8 core emotions at the center. These are joy, fear, surprise, anger, trust, sadness, disgust, and anticipation.
FAQ’S
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The BOS program is a mental health education program for first responders and healthcare workers who may be at risk for experiencing operational stress injuries(OSIs), including Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS). BOS teaches essential tools to navigate the unique emotional demands of your role. With BOS, you’ll learn effective stress management, resilience-building techniques, and skills to cope with operational stress. Elevate your mental wellness and continue your journey as a strong frontline worker, equipped with tools you can use every day.
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Yes. BOS is an evidence-informed researched program, meticulously crafted educational experience that integrates the latest and most reliable research findings into the curriculum.
We ensure that every aspect of your learning journey is supported by credible evidence, enhancing the quality and applicability of the knowledge and skills that you gain.
You can read about your most recent publication by clicking here.
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BOS curriculum is designed by a team of experts with strong background in both academia and real-world applications.
•Dr. Megan McElheran, a Clinical Psychologist and CEO of Wayfound.
• Alanna Caldwell, a Registered Psychologist at Wayfound.
• Dr. Lawrence Deck, a Clinical Psychologist and Chief Clinical Officer at Wayfound.
• Lucia Antonucci, a Registered Psychologist at Wayfound.
• Dr. Andrew Carlquist, Psychologist and BOS Clinical Lead at Wayfound.
They collaborate to synthesize the latest research findings into comprehensive and impactful learning experience.
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BOS Online program is most suitable for individuals who... (1) are interested in examining the impact of operational stress; (2) are interested in acquiring knowledge, practicing and developing skills for dealing with the effects of operational stress; (3) are willing and able to participate in a program in an online learning platform.
BOS is not suitable for individuals who(1) for whatever reason, are unable to attend most sessions and be psychologically present; (2) are actively suicidal or homicidal, or who have been actively suicidal or homicidal in the last six months without professional support and/or intervention; (3) who are currently or recently experiencing untreated symptoms of psychosis (e.g. voices, paranoia)
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BOS On Demand: self-paced with 8 modules. The total duration is between 6-8 hours.
BOS Classroom: 6-8 hours.
BOS Intensive: 8 weeks of two-hour group therapeutic processing intervention. With BOS Intensive, you also get BOS On Demand for 12-month access.
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Please review our program modules by clicking here.
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• Empowering you with knowledge, tools and skills to take care of your mental health.
• Enhancing your self-awareness by understanding your own emotions, triggers, unhelpful thought patterns, and how to transform them.
• Reducing daily stress with better emotional regulation and self-understanding. Help you connect with your loved ones deeper.
• Enhanced effective communication skills, lead to better relationships at work and at home.
• Improved decision-making by creating an internal environment of clear thinking, and emotional regulations.
• Better conflict resolutions, learn the skills to regulate yourself and communicate assertively to navigate difficult conflicts towards better outcomes.
• Long-term wellbeing with consistent mental health training, you will lead a sustained higher quality of life.
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You’re welcome to send us an inquiry form by clicking here to get support. We will help you pick the best BOS program for your exact need.
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We have 3 learning programs and 1 consultation service.
BOS On Demand: a self-study program
BOS Classroom: a group study program for both in-person and online
BOS Intensive: an 8-week group therapeutic processing intervention. With BOS Intensive, you also get BOS Online for 12-month access.
Our consultation service is BOS Consulting. To learn more, contact us by clicking here.
Note: all programs can be purchased at bulk pricing for organizations.
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Absolutely!
We offer all BOS programs for Organizations, including: BOS On Demand, BOS Classroom, BOS Intensive and BOS Consulting.
