Telus Health is launching a mobile mental-health app for frontline workers, first responders and their families.
The app, Espri, aims to provide confidential and ready access to crisis and prevention support, as well as mental wellness tools, such as a resource hub, task manager, a video-conferencing feature and resources list.
“The current health emergency has highlighted the unique challenges faced by our hard-working frontline care workers,” said Darren Entwistle, president and chief executive officer of Telus Health, in a press release. “We are committed to improving health experiences for all Canadians, including providing impactful mental-health tools to support the brave individuals who dedicate their lives to protecting us all.”
Read: Canadian employers increasing safety measures but not pay for frontline workers: survey
Frontline workers are exposed to incidents of trauma, violence and grief, making them more likely to experience mental-health issues and face considerable barriers and stigma to accessing resources, noted the release.
To develop the app, Telus Health partnered with first responders and worked under the guidance of specially trained clinicians who are occupationally aware and understand these workers’ needs.
“By providing timely access to effective mental-health, . . . we are able to offer critical support to our essential frontline workers, first responders and clinicians . . . enabling them to keep all Canadians safe and well, today and well into the future,” said Entwistle.
Read: Many frontline workers not receiving mental-health resources from employers