Resilience training to support first responders' mental health
Official title: A Large-scale Efficacy Trial of a Resilience Training Program for First Responders
Funded at State University New York Stony Brook · NIH-11421527 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A large trial will test a 4-hour resilience workshop designed to help first responders cope with trauma and reduce PTSD and depression symptoms.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University New York Stony Brook NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stony Brook, United States) |
| Project start | September 23, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $696,714 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH137282-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11421527 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
First responders (e.g., police, firefighters, emergency medical services) in the selected counties who participate in the study.
✕Less likely to help
Some individuals may not experience noticeable benefits or may prefer other coping approaches.
What this research studies
This project tests a proven 4-hour Worker Resilience Training workshop with about 800 first responders across New York and Texas to see if it improves coping skills, healthy habits, and perceived resilience over time. It builds on a previous study that showed benefits for PTSD, depression, and resilience indicators. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive the workshop or a control condition, with measurements taken across multiple time points to track outcomes. The goal is to confirm whether this training can be generalized to diverse responder populations and settings. If successful, the program could become a scalable tool to support frontline workers facing chronic stress and traumatic exposure.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, responders may experience lower PTSD and depression symptoms and stronger resilience, improving well-being and job performance.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier trials showed reduced PTSD and depression and better resilience indicators after WRT.
Where this research is happening
-
State University New York Stony Brook
Stony Brook, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gonzalez, Adam — State University New York Stony Brook
- Study coordinator: Gonzalez, Adam
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.