Two nursing professors at St. Lawrence College’s Brockville campus are leading a three-year research project aimed at helping families make mental health care decisions for loved ones.
Melissa Johnston and Fiona Jager have received $350,000 in federal funding for the project, which will focus on Substitute Decision Makers, often family members who make treatment decisions for people with serious mental illness.
The study is one of 57 projects selected by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada through its College and Community Social Innovation Fund. There were 147 applications.
Johnston and Jager teach in SLC’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in Brockville. The research team will conduct surveys and interviews with family members before developing and testing a support resource.
Three nursing students will also be hired as research assistants to help with the study.
The research will involve health-care, legal, advocacy and community partners across Ontario and internationally.
