Austin Peay State University professor co-leading Canadian study of mental health of first responders

Dr. Frank Ferdik, an assistant professor of criminal justice at Austin Peay State University, is participating in an international grant project to support the mental health of first responders throughout Canada. He will be serving as co-lead investigator on the “Understanding Wellness and Leadership Effectiveness Among Canada’s Public Safety Leaders” project, which is funded by a Supporting Psychological Health in First Responders (SPHIFR) Applied Research grant from the government of Canada.

According to an article on Austin Peay State University’s website, Dr. Ferdik said, “Public safety leaders are often expected to project calm and certainty, even while carrying the cumulative weight of trauma, organizational responsibility, and public scrutiny. My prior work has shown how inconsistent policies, operational stress, and lack of organizational support can erode wellbeing on the frontlines. This project allows us to examine how those same pressures affect leaders—and how leadership practices themselves can either amplify or alleviate harm.”

The project is led by Dr. Rose Ricciardelli from Memorial University of Newfoundland and will utilize an interdisciplinary team to research the intersection of mental health and leadership in Canada’s public safety sector. The study will examine the mental health and incidence psychological stress of individuals who work in the police, corrections, fire services, and emergency response. The team will then work to identify strategies that can be used to support these individuals and reduce strain typically felt within these jobs.

Dr. Ferdik noted, “Healthy leadership is not just about decision-making under pressure. It’s about whether leaders feel supported enough to lead with clarity, empathy, and resilience. At its core, this research is about possibility. If we can better understand the pressures leaders face—and the supports that actually help—we can build systems that not only protect those who serve, but empower them to lead in ways that are healthier, more sustainable, and ultimately better for the communities they serve.”

Speaking of Dr. Ferdik’s participation in this Canadian project, Dlynn Williams, who serves as the dean of the College of Behavioral and Health Sciences, said, “Dr. Ferdik’s work exemplifies the kind of engaged, impactful scholarship we value at Austin Peay. This project brings together criminal justice, mental health, public health, and leadership studies to address issues that affect communities on both sides of the border. It reflects our faculty’s ability to collaborate across disciplines and apply research in ways that truly matter.”

Findings of the study will be shared with policymakers to help build an infrastructure to support individuals who work in public safety.

For more information about Austin Peay State University, visit the school’s website.