Stress First Aid support for harm reduction workers in substance-use settings
Official title: Testing an occupational stress intervention for harm reduction workers in substance misuse settings
Funded at University of Texas at Austin · NIH-11367034 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A workplace stress-reduction program adapted to help harm reduction workers who support people with opioid and stimulant use.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas at Austin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $721,095 |
| NIH project number | 4R33DA059887-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11367034 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are harm reduction workers and leaders at organizations that provide services to people who use drugs, such as syringe services or overdose prevention programs.
✕Less likely to help
People who are not employed in harm reduction roles or whose concerns are unrelated to occupational stress are unlikely to benefit directly from this program.
What this research studies
From my perspective as someone who relies on harm reduction services, this work adapts a stress-support program called Stress First Aid so staff can better handle job-related trauma and burnout. Researchers will hold focus groups with harm reduction workers and organizational leaders to tailor the program to this setting. After planning and adaptation, the team will compare the adapted program to a control approach in a controlled clinical trial to measure effects on worker wellbeing and service stability. The goal is to strengthen the ability of workers to provide consistent, compassionate care to people who use drugs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could reduce staff burnout and turnover, which may improve continuity and quality of care for people who use drugs.
How similar studies have gone: Stress First Aid has shown promise with first responders and healthcare staff, but it has not yet been rigorously tested or adapted for harm reduction workers.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Creech, Suzannah K — University of Texas at Austin
- Study coordinator: Creech, Suzannah K
Related research
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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.