USask nursing associate professor Tracie Risling and USask psychology professor Megan O’Connell. (Credit: University of Saskatchewan)

Two University of Saskatchewan led research teams have been awarded $400,000 in federal funding. It’s to expand the reach of innovative digital technology projects aimed at meeting mental health needs of people coping with physical distancing and isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nursing associate professor Tracie Risling has been awarded $170,487 by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and $25,000 by the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation. She wants to develop a customized two-way mobile phone texting process that will help people underserved by the health system gain access to mental health services-particularly online services that are emerging to address challenges arising from the pandemic.

With $174,577 from CIHR and $25,000 from SHRF, USask psychology professor Megan O’Connell’s team will expand a pilot project for older adults in Saskatchewan that employs “virtual socialization hubs” and will also extend the program into British Columbia. The hubs involve eight to 10 seniors meeting online weekly or bi-monthly on a secure Zoom videoconferencing site. Participants receive support and training in using the technology, and phone assessments take place through trained staff chatting monthly with each participant.

O’Connell’s team will also initiate a system of remotely monitoring the mental health of seniors by phone in both provinces.