Brandon University Researchers Tackle Nurse Burnout and Violence Recovery

Two researchers at Brandon University have secured funding to lead innovative projects aimed at tackling critical issues in mental health and recovery in Manitoba. Each project has received $44,000 through the Manitoba Medical Service Foundation Research Grant program, marking a significant achievement for the university as it is the first time its researchers have successfully applied for this competition.

The first project, spearheaded by nursing professor Dr. Kathryn Chachula, will investigate the impact of an online Psychological Body ArmourTM course on nurse resilience and mental health outcomes. This study aims to determine whether the 10-module program can effectively reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress while fostering post-traumatic growth among nurses.

Registered Nurses, Registered Psychiatric Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, and Graduate Nurses across the province will be invited to participate. They will complete the course at their convenience over a 12- to 16-week period. To assess the course’s effectiveness, participants will fill out validated surveys before beginning the course, immediately after completion, and again three to six months later to gauge longer-term effects.

This research builds on a recent pilot study involving Brandon University nursing and psychiatric nursing students, which demonstrated statistically significant improvements in resilience and mental health metrics. Dr. Chachula emphasized the importance of this initiative, 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 Sexual Violence Recovery in Rural Communities

The second project, led by sociology professor Dr. Candice Waddell-Henowitch, focuses on recovery from 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 will explore the experiences of women in these areas, where access to necessary services and support can be limited.

Working alongside co-investigators Andrea Thomson and Nadine Smith, the project will employ a participatory research method known as photo elicitation. Women will be invited to share photographs and narratives that reflect their healing journeys, aiming to better understand what recovery looks like in diverse communities.

Throughout the two-year study, researchers plan to engage with communities through dialogue, data collection, knowledge sharing, and collaborative action to improve supports for survivors. Dr. Waddell-Henowitch highlighted the unique challenges faced by women in these regions: “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, noted that this funding underscores the real-world relevance of the university’s research. She stated, “Both projects demonstrate how BU researchers are working alongside communities to generate knowledge that leads to tangible, positive change.”

These initiatives represent a significant step forward in addressing pressing mental health issues and supporting vulnerable populations in Manitoba, with the potential for broader implications across similar communities.