Evaluating Road to Mental Readiness wellness checks for CAF search and rescue technicians

Introduction: The Road to Mental Readiness (R2MR) program delivers mental health training, which includes a guided discussion and wellness check for Canadian Armed Forces search and rescue technicians (SAR techs) during their annual dive proficiency and currency training to support their mental health and performance and helps to decrease barriers to care and encourage care seeking when necessary. A mixed-methods evaluation of SAR techs’ perceptions of the wellness checks was conducted in July 2024. Methods: Sixty SAR techs completed an anonymous survey three months post-training to capture their perceptions of the wellness checks, including their usefulness; common therapeutic factors identified as important mediators of wellness check effectiveness from previous research; and attitudes toward care-seeking, supporting others, stigma, and resilience. Results: Most SAR techs found their most recent wellness check to be at least a little helpful in supporting their mental health and well-being, and their attitudes toward the wellness check appeared to improve afterward. The learning of new skills was a common therapeutic factor that most related to perceptions of wellness check usefulness. In terms of related outcomes, those who rated the wellness check as more useful reported greater confidence in accessing mental health care, but not greater resilience or stigma. Finally, most SAR techs who received a follow-up recommendation followed through with it. Discussion: The findings indicate that SAR techs perceive the current R2MR training as useful for supporting their mental health and well-being, but the findings are limited to this unique occupation.