Before Operational Stress

Before Operational Stress (BOS)

Research Funded BOS Registration Closed on June 30, 2023. BOS is still available outside of the funding. Contact us to learn more!

Before Operational
Stress Program (BOS)

Proudly Partnered With
Wounded Warriors Canada

Be the BOS of Your Mental Health

Front-line workers are exposed to operational stress every day, but the effects of operational stress don’t have to last a lifetime.

BOS is about empowering public safety employees to be in charge of the effects of operational stress, versus the effects of operational stress being in charge of them.

This program has been designed to serve and protect public safety personnel as they serve and protect us all.

Government Funding

Research Funded BOS Registration Closed on June 30, 2023. BOS is still available outside of the funding. Contact us to learn more!

Learn More

Why BOS?

Decrease the Effects of Operational Stress

Evidenced Based

BOS uniquely combines theoretical and experiential learning procedures to decrease the effects of operational stress. Our evidence tells us we can mitigate the impact of public safety personnel’s work so that they can do their jobs without tragic consequences.
Impacting Lives

While public safety employees will continue to be exposed to operational stress, they are not destined to have their lives ruined by the psychological effects of their work. BOS empowers public safety employees to take charge of their mental health.
BOS Objectives

We know these employees need information to protect themselves from the effects of operational stress. Further, we know they need practice and support to incorporate this knowledge & these experiences into their operational roles.

Course Curriculum

1. Welcome to BOS - A Message from Dr. Megan McElheran, BOS Creator
2. Tell Us About You - Disclaimer
3. About You:
4. BOS Overview
5. Participation Consent
6. Research Overview
7. Research Survey Link
1. How to Successfully Complete this Course:
2. Course Player Instructions
3. Download Instructions
1. Mental Health Support and Crisis Lines
2. Mental Health Resources - Find a Psychologist Right For You
3. RCMP Member Resources
1. Education Disclaimer
2. Intellectual Property and Copyright
1. BOS Learning Objectives
2. BOS References
1. Orientation
2. Manual and Introduction Video
3. Public Safety Introduction and Manual
4. Healthcare Introduction and Manual
5. Legal Services and Prosecutors Introduction and Manual
1. BOS Manuals
2. BOS Healthcare Manual
3. BOS PSP Manual
1. Meet Your Instructors!
2. Instructor Bios
3. Special Guests
1. Learning Objectives
2. BOS Terms of Engagement - Dr. Mila
3. Common Terms Related to Operational Stress
4. Module One Quiz - Let's Recap Those Terms!
5. Combat Research Facts - Dr. Andrew
6. Introduction to Stoicism - Dr. Megan
7. Stoic Origins Translating to Modern Times - Dr. Megan
8. A Modern Day Stoic Outcome
9. An Alternative Idea - Dr. Mila
10. Reflection Exercise
1. Learning Objectives
2. Introduction to the Brain: Survival and Homeostasis - Dr. Megan
3. Evolution of Brain Structures - Dr. Mila
4. Module 2 Quiz - Let's Recap the Brain!
5. Fight Flight Freeze - Dr. Mila
6. Circuitry Breakdown - Dr. Mila
7. Connecting the Dots and the Importance of Processing - Dr. Mila
8. Completing the Stress Cycle - Dr. Andrew
9. Dirty Socks
10. Reflection Exercise
1. Learning Objectives
2. Module 3 Introduction - Dr. Mila
3. Yerkes Dodson Curve - Dr Andrew
4. Window of Tolerance - Dr Andrew
5. Hyper and Hypo Arousal - Dr. Andrew
6. The Optimal Zone- Dr. Andrew
7. The Freeze Response- Dr. Andrew
8. Module 3 Quiz - Let's Recap the Window of Tolerance
9. The Window of Tolerance and Operational Stress - Dr Andrew
10. Hyper Arousal Recognized
11. In Summary - Dr. Megan
12. Module 3 Reflection Exercise
1. Learning Objectives
2. Module 4 Introduction - Dr. Megan
3. Cognitive Model - Dr. Andrew
4. ABCs of Thoughts Effecting Behaviour - Dr. Andrew
5. Automatic Thoughts - Dr. Andrew
6. Thinking Traps - Dr. Andrew
7. Thinking Traps Part 2 - Dr. Andrew
8. Module 4 Quiz - Let's Recap Thinking Traps!
9. The Call
10. Module 4 - Reflection Exercise
1. Learning Objectives
2. Introduction to Emotions - Dr. Megan
3. Influences on Emotion - Dr. Mila
4. Emotional Evolution Over the Course of Life - Dr. Mila
5. Module 5 Quiz - Recapping Emotional Ideas
6. Sadness - Dr. Mila
7. Anger - Dr. Mila
8. Fear and Anxiety - Dr. Mila
9. Shame - Dr. Mila
10. Acknowledging Emotions
11. Module 5 Reflection Exercise
1. Learning Objectives
2. Module 6 Introduction - Dr. Megan
3. Avoidance Behaviour - Dr. Andrew
4. Types of Avoidance Behaviour
5. Dog Phobia - Dr. Andrew
6. What We Resists Persists and the Bill Comes Due - Dr. Andrew
7. Module 6 Quiz - Let's Recap Avoidance
8. Grandma's Bees - Dr. Andrew
9. Introduction to Exposure - Dr. Andrew
10. An Example of Overcoming Avoidance - Dr. Andrew and Ray Burns
11. Module 6 Reflection Exercise
1. Learning Objectives
2. Introduction to Communication - Dr. Megan
3. Communication Styles - Dr. Mila
4. Communication Skills
5. Module 7 Quiz - Let's Recap Communication Styles
6. Communication and The Window of Tolerance - Dr. Mila
7. Tips for Effective Communication - Dr. Mila
8. D.E.S.C.
9. Reflection Exercise
1. Learning Objectives
2. Module 8 Introduction - Dr. Megan
3. The Paradox of Empathy
4. Functional Disconnection and Functional Reconnection - Dr. Megan
5. Functional Disconnection Strategies - Dr. Megan
6. Functional Reconnection Strategies - Dr. Megan
7. Finding Balance with Empathy - Dr. Mila & Brad Holmes
8. Empathy as a Mission - Dr. Andrew
9. Module Eight - One Last Quiz!
10. Module 8 Reflection Exercise
1. Learning Objectives Rating
1. Thank you - Dr. Megan
1. A View From Above - Dr. Megan
2. Negative Visualization - Dr. Megan
3. Voluntary Discomfort - Dr. Megan
4. Tips to Help Your Brain Rest and Digest - Dr. Andrew
5. Guided Breathing - Dr. Andrew
6. De-Catastrophize Your Thinking - Dr. Megan
7. Muscle Relaxation - Dr. Megan
8. Self Compassion - Dr. Megan
1. From a Football Field to a Sewing Needle
2. Understanding the Why
3. Be Kind to Yourself
4. Acceptance in a Stoic Service Culture
5. Connect to You Connect to Community
1. A Special Thank You to Wounded Warriors Canada
2. Team Acknowledgment - Dr. Megan

About this course

Free
128 lessons
5.5 hours of video content

BOS Leadership Team

Dr. Megan McElheran

CEO and Clinical Psychologist

My name is Dr. Megan McElheran and I am a clinical psychologist and CEO of Wayfound. For the past 16 years, I have had the privilege to work almost exclusively with uniformed service personnel and have witnessed the devastating psychological effects operational stress can have on those who serve and protect our communities.

I was motivated several years ago to develop the Before Operational Stress (BOS) program out of a desire to provide public safety personnel with an intervention that could support greater psychological protection relative to their occupational roles. I am steadfast in my commitment to finding proactive ways to support public safety personnel and will continue to disseminate and evaluate BOS to ensure its effectiveness and utility for the members it serves.

Dr. Milena Spasojevic

Senior Clinical Lead

My name is Dr. Milena Spasojevic and I am thrilled to introduce myself as the Senior Clinical Lead of BOS. I have had the privilege of being involved with BOS since co-facilitating the pilot group in August of 2018, and have since joined Dr. McElheran in training clinicians across Canada in its delivery. Developing and disseminating this cutting-edge and empirically-supported program has become my passion and it is an honour to serve in this role.

Dr. Andrew Carlquist

BOS Clinical Lead

My name is Dr. Andrew Carlquist and I am a clinical psychologist in Ontario. I moved to Canada to join the BOS team in November 2018 after completing my clinical training in the US Veteran Affairs system. I am passionate about working with uniformed service personnel and other front-line workers, as I believe it is vital to provide the absolute best support to folks who serve, support, heal, and defend our communities. The BOS program is a culmination of research, clinical experience, cultural competence, and feedback from the "front-lines" and I am honoured and excited for the opportunity to provide it to our members.