Brandon University Researchers Secure $88,000 for Health Studies

Two researchers from Brandon University have been awarded a total of $88,000 over two years to conduct studies aimed at improving nurse wellness and addressing recovery from sexual violence in rural Manitoba. The funding comes from the Manitoba Medical Services Foundation (MMSF) research grant program and marks a significant step in the university’s commitment to health-focused research that directly benefits local communities.

Focus on Nurse Wellness and Recovery

The studies will be led by associate professors Candice Waddell-Henowitch and Kathryn Chachula, who are both dedicated to advancing health outcomes in the province. Waddell-Henowitch’s project will specifically explore recovery from sexual violence in remote and northern areas of Manitoba. Using a photo elicitation approach, this research will connect with service providers and invite survivors to share their personal experiences through 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 emphasized the significance of the support from the MMSF and Blue Cross, which she believes is crucial for the work her team is undertaking. The findings from this project are expected to lay the groundwork for future initiatives aimed at helping parents who have experienced sexual violence and developing educational tools to combat rape myths.

Chachula’s research will focus on enhancing nurse wellness through a program called the Psychological Body Armour. This online, ten-module course provides nurses with skills to build resilience, manage stress, and recover from traumatic experiences encountered in their professional lives. Previous pilot studies have shown that nursing students who participated reported significant improvements in resilience and reductions in symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Addressing Mental Health Challenges

Chachula highlighted the disparities in access to mental health support across Manitoba, particularly for nurses in rural and remote regions. “This funding allows us to support nurses who might be suffering in silence and to help ensure younger nurses remain in the profession,” she stated. The program aims to enable nurses not just to survive their shifts but to truly thrive in their roles.

The course is designed to be flexible and self-paced, spanning 12 weeks, and covers a range of topics, including personal strength, stress management, and proactive resilience skills. Should the study confirm the course’s effectiveness, it could serve as a vital resource within Manitoba’s healthcare system.

The grant funding reflects the growing strength of Brandon University’s research initiatives, which tackle real-world challenges in health care. Bernadette Ardelli, the university’s vice-president for research and graduate studies, noted, “Both projects demonstrate how BU researchers are working alongside communities to generate knowledge that leads to tangible, positive change.”

For interested nurses, further information can be obtained by contacting research assistant Caroline Mullins at [email protected] or by completing the online enrollment form. This funding opportunity not only bolsters academic research but also aims to foster a healthier, more resilient community in Manitoba.