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

Two researchers from Brandon University have received substantial funding to address critical health issues affecting rural communities in Manitoba. Each researcher is awarded $44,000 over two years to lead studies focusing on nurse wellness and the recovery from sexual violence.

The funding comes from the Manitoba Medical Services Foundation (MMSF) research grant program, marking a significant step for the university in health-focused research. Associate professors Candice Waddell-Henowitch and Kathryn Chachula are spearheading projects that aim to improve outcomes for vulnerable populations in the region.

Addressing Recovery from Sexual Violence

Waddell-Henowitch’s research targets recovery from sexual violence in rural, remote, and northern Manitoba. The project will collaborate with local service providers to document survivors’ experiences using a photo elicitation approach. Participants will be invited 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 gratitude to the MMSF and its supporter, Blue Cross, for their belief in the significance of her research. This foundational work will not only assist current survivors but also pave the way for future studies, including those aimed at supporting parents who have experienced sexual violence and developing educational tools to combat rape myths.

Enhancing Nurse Wellness

Chachula’s project focuses on enhancing nurse wellness through the Psychological Body Armour course, a comprehensive online program comprising ten modules. This course teaches essential skills for resilience, stress management, and recovery from potentially traumatic experiences encountered in the nursing profession.

Initial pilot studies with nursing students have indicated remarkable improvements in resilience, along with significant reductions in symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and PTSD.

“Access to mental-health supports varies across Manitoba, especially for nurses in rural and remote areas,”

Chachula noted. She emphasized that this funding enables crucial support for nurses who may be struggling in silence and helps retain younger professionals in the field. The goal is to ensure that nurses not only survive their shifts but thrive throughout their careers.

The course is designed to be flexible and self-paced over a period of 12 weeks, covering critical topics such as personal strength and proactive resilience skills. Should the study validate its effectiveness, the program could become an essential resource across Manitoba’s healthcare system.

The grant funding reflects the growing strength of research at Brandon University and its relevance to real-world challenges, according to Bernadette Ardelli, the university’s vice-president for research and graduate studies. She stated, “Both projects demonstrate how BU researchers are working alongside communities to generate knowledge that leads to tangible, positive change.”

For more information on the courses or to enroll, interested nurses can contact research assistant Caroline Mullins at [email protected] or access the enrollment form online.