Welcome to Stress First Aid

Many types of workers (e.g. Harm Reduction, Community Health and Peer Support Workers) are on the frontlines of the overdose crisis, providing essential services to persons who use drugs. Their vital roles expose them to high levels of stress.

Stress First Aid is a support program designed to help substance use outreach workers be their best.

WHAT IS STRESS FIRST AID (SFA)?

SFA is a self-care and peer support framework adapted by the researchers behind TxCOPE and leaders in the substance use outreach community. It is designed to help individuals and teams working in high-stress environments manage stress reactions and promote recovery. We are offering enrollment in this 6 month research study starting in Central Texas in December 2025, and expanding across TX, LA, AR, OK, NM and tribal areas.

Research Components

The study is a randomized controlled trial (RCT), organizations will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: either a treatment or control group. If randomly assigned to the control group, your organization will be offered the training at the conclusion of the study.

2-Hour Training facilitated by Research Staff and a Community Partner

Research staff and a Community Partner will deliver a 2-hour overview of Stress First Aid and train participants to apply the intervention in their work.

30-Minute Monthly Learning Collaboratives

Participants receive ongoing support provided by research staff.

3 Surveys

Participants will complete a brief baseline questionnaire and two follow-up questionnaires at approximately 2 and 6 months after the training.

Implementation Evaluation

To evaluate the implementation of SFA, we invite participants of the RCT, non-participants of the RCT, and ATTC staff to participate in:

2-hour focus groups and/or
15–20-minute interviews

Compensation

Participants will be compensated $25 for the time spent on each questionnaire, for a total of $75.

Participants in the focus groups and/or interviews will be compensated $25 for their time.