Subjects That Matter Most

Tertiary Learner Mental Health: The Development of a National Framework
April 5, 3:00 PM Central
Presenter: Suzie Bartlett, RN, Dip Comp Nur, MHEd, DPP, Principal Lecturer in the School of Nursing at Otago Polytechnic, Dunedin, New Zealand
Due to the escalating numbers and acuity of learner presentations related to poor mental health in the tertiary environment, this work-based project to address this public health issue is not only timely, but critical. Suzie’s motivation for researching tertiary learner mental health was her personal experiences of distressed learners. Her practitioner thesis demonstrates that colleagues nationally are faced with learners presenting in similar distressing situations. The impact of this work is to inject much needed support for tertiary learners, that can be accessed prior to them becoming distressed to avoid crisis presentations. Suzie's Doctorate of Professional Practice research saw educators share with her their personal experiences with distressed learners through semi-structured interviews. All data was analysed by engaging with a thematic approach to reveal three overarching key themes: resilience; environment; and mental ill-health. The Safe MINDed Mental Health Accreditation framework was developed by Suzie as a result of her doctoral research. The framework opens a space to create national and international positive change in creating a stigma-free culture associated with mental ill-health of learners and to heighten their wellbeing. This support is twofold; implementation of primary support which learners can access through presenting to Student Support Services, and secondary support through workforce education that will aid staff within tertiary institutions to have the confidence and the tools to assist and triage distressed learners effectively.

DETAILS COMING SOON

Save the Date - New Mental Health Webinar presented by Sharleen Jahner
May 18, 4:00 PM Central

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Cultivating Emotional Wellness In Rural Communities
June 14, 2:00 PM Central
Presenter: Whitney Fear, PMHNP, Family HealthCare, Fargo, ND
Despite rural communities experiencing mental health and substance use issues at rates comparable to their urban counterparts, there exists a lack of the resources to match the needs of these communities. The National Rural Health Association has identified the following issues as contributing to the lack of comprehensive mental health services in rural areas: accessibility, availability, affordability and acceptability (Rural Health Information Hub, 2021). Residents of rural areas are no strangers to the experience of having less or none at all of what is available in urban areas in general. The tenacity of these rural communities to do much with less may be one of their greatest strengths. By identifying the most pressing needs of these rural communities, and tapping in to the resilience that already exists within the communities, health care/human service providers can begin to develop creative and effective solutions to serve these rural populations.

DETAILS COMING SOON

Save the Date - New Mental Health Webinar presented by Tamara Keefner
July 13, 2:00 PM Central

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Mental Health Promotion and Psychosocial Support via AM/FM Radio Program in the Semi-Urban and Rural Province of Antique in the Philippines
August 9, 6:00 PM Central
In this webinar, one of the concept creators and hosts of the mental health promotion and psychosocial support via AM/FM radio program called “Kasulhayan” will share the background, the objectives, the preparations, and the running of this mental health radio program. The evaluation of this mental health nursing intervention will also be shared during the Zoom webinar.