Brandon University Researchers Secure $44,000 Grants for Vital Health Studies

Two researchers from Brandon University have been awarded $44,000 each over the next two years to spearhead significant studies aimed at improving nurse wellness and addressing recovery from sexual violence in rural Manitoba. The funding comes through the Manitoba Medical Services Foundation (MMSF) research grant program, marking a pivotal moment as it is the first year that researchers from Brandon University have participated in this funding opportunity.

Focus on Nurse Wellness and Recovery from Sexual Violence

Associate professors Candice Waddell-Henowitch and Kathryn Chachula will lead separate projects that not only tackle pressing health issues but also aim to foster community engagement. Waddell-Henowitch’s research will explore recovery from sexual violence in rural, remote, and northern areas of Manitoba. This study aims to connect with service providers and utilize a photo elicitation method, encouraging survivors to share their photographs and narratives.

“Sexual violence is such an important issue, and this funding allows us to explore ways to better serve survivors across Manitoba,” Waddell-Henowitch stated. She expressed her gratitude toward the MMSF and its supporter, Blue Cross, for their belief in the importance of her team’s work. The findings from this study will serve as a foundation for future projects, including initiatives aimed at supporting parents who have experienced sexual violence and evaluating educational tools designed to diminish rape myths.

Chachula is focusing on enhancing nurse wellness through the Psychological Body Armour course, an online, ten-module program designed to equip nurses with resilience-building skills, stress management techniques, and strategies for recovering from potentially traumatic experiences in their careers. A preliminary study involving nursing students revealed significant improvements in resilience, alongside reductions in symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and PTSD.

“Access to mental health support varies across Manitoba, especially for nurses in rural and remote regions,” Chachula remarked. “This funding allows us to support nurses who might be suffering in silence and to help ensure younger nurses remain in the profession. We want nurses to not just survive their shifts but to thrive.”

Potential Impact on Manitoba’s Health Care System

The course is designed to be flexible and self-paced over a twelve-week period, covering essential topics such as personal strength, stress management, and proactive resilience skills. Should the study validate the course’s effectiveness, it could become an invaluable resource throughout Manitoba’s health care system.

Researchers interested in the program can reach out to research assistant Caroline Mullins at [email protected] or complete an online enrollment form.

The grant funding underscores the strength of Brandon University’s research initiatives and their direct relevance to challenges faced in the community, according to Bernadette Ardelli, the university’s vice-president for research and graduate studies. “Both projects demonstrate how BU researchers are working alongside communities to generate knowledge that leads to tangible, positive change,” Ardelli noted.

As Brandon University continues to expand its role in health-focused research, these studies aim to not only improve individual outcomes but also contribute to broader societal well-being in Manitoba.