Brandon University Secures Funding for Nurse Mental Health and Recovery Projects

Research initiatives at Brandon University are set to tackle critical issues affecting mental health and recovery in rural Manitoba, thanks to funding from the Manitoba Medical Service Foundation. Two research projects have each received $44,000 over a two-year period, marking a significant milestone as it is the first time researchers from Brandon University have secured funding through this program.

Dr. Kathryn Chachula, a nursing professor, leads one of the projects aimed at addressing nurse burnout. This initiative will evaluate the effectiveness of an online course called Psychological Body ArmourTM, designed to enhance resilience among nurses. The program consists of ten modules that focus on reducing stress, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress while supporting post-traumatic growth.

Participants, including Registered Nurses, Registered Psychiatric Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, and Graduate Nurses, will complete the course at their own pace over a 12- to 16-week timeframe. To assess the program’s impact, researchers will administer validated surveys before the course, immediately after, and again three to six months later, providing insights into both immediate and long-term effects.

Chachula emphasized the need for this research, stating, “Nurses regularly face intense stress, violence, trauma, and emotional demands in their work. This research is about proactively supporting nurses’ mental health with knowledge and tools that foster resilience, recovery, and growth when confronted by difficult experiences.”

Addressing Recovery from Sexual Violence in Rural Areas

The second project, led by Dr. Candice Waddell-Henowitch, focuses on the recovery of survivors of sexual violence in rural, remote, and Northern Manitoba. Titled Envisioning Recovery from Sexual Violence in Rural, Remote and Northern Areas of Manitoba: A Photo Exploration, this study aims to explore the unique challenges faced by women living outside urban centers, where access to support services can be severely limited.

Working alongside co-investigators Andrea Thomson and Nadine Smith, Waddell-Henowitch’s project will utilize a participatory research method known as photo elicitation. Women will be encouraged to share photographs and narratives that depict their healing journeys, enabling researchers to gain a deeper understanding of what recovery looks like in various communities.

Waddell-Henowitch remarked on the project’s significance, stating, “Women in rural, remote, and Northern communities often face unique barriers to healing after sexual violence. By centering survivors’ voices and experiences, this research aims to better understand what recovery looks like and how communities can support meaningful, lasting change.”

Dr. Bernadette Ardelli, Vice-President of Research and Graduate Studies at Brandon University, highlighted the importance of this funding. “Both projects demonstrate how BU researchers are working alongside communities to generate knowledge that leads to tangible, positive change,” she said.

These initiatives not only underscore the university’s commitment to health-focused research but also aim to bring about real-world benefits for communities in Manitoba. As these projects unfold, they promise to pave the way for improved mental health support and recovery resources in the region.