Co‐Designing Lived Experience Guide Support for First Responder Mental Health: Defining the Role and Considerations for Implementation

BACKGROUND: Improving the mental health and well-being of first responders has been a priority, leading to increased availability of treatments and services. However, access barriers continue to hinder the effectiveness of these services. Lived experience guides are mental healthcare service navigators who have real-world experience working as a first responder and understand mental health challenges first responders experience. The aim of this study was to use an experience-based co-design methodology to define the lived experience guide role and identify important considerations for implementation in first responder settings. METHODS: Nine current and former first responders from different agencies attended three co-design workshops facilitated by the research team. First responders provided feedback and responses to specific question prompts. Responses were analysed within workshops and collaboratively grouped into emergent themes by first responders and facilitators. RESULTS: Across workshops, responses were collated into six core themes: (i) the role and purpose of a lived experience guide; (ii) the importance of privacy, confidentiality and independence; (iii) appropriate selection and recruitment of guides; (iv) provision of training; (v) provision of resources and support; and (vi) evaluation. CONCLUSION: Lived experience guides represent a critical step towards better supporting first responders to overcome barriers and access appropriate services to improve mental health outcomes. This study provides useful insights for first responder agencies, government bodies and insurance providers focusing on first responder well-being. Implementing the lived experience guide support stands to make a substantial impact on the mental health of first responders, contributing to more resilient and well-supported emergency services personnel. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: This study was co-produced with a retired first responder with lived experience of mental health challenges who contributed substantially to study conceptualisation, methodology, investigation and manuscript preparation as a member of the author team. Additionally, current and former first responders with lived experience and knowledge of first responder mental health systems participated in co-design workshops. Through these workshops, participants actively contributed to defining the lived experience guide role and identifying important considerations for implementation. Their involvement went beyond participation to collaborative interpretation of findings and discussion of implications.