UBCO Social Support & Wellbeing Lab

01/21/2026

Looking for adults living in rural BC with mental health concerns of any kind to participate in an online study!

Mental health is important for our wellbeing. As adults, our personal experiences can impact our wellbeing and make it harder to take care of ourselves. How our mental health is impacted can vary tremendously across people. For example, some people may feel very sad or anxious, while some may feel increasingly angry and frustrated with the people in their lives. Others may find that how they feel about themselves and their body becomes very negative. Some people hear voices or hold onto ideas and beliefs despite evidence that they are not real. Still others struggle with their use of alcohol or other drugs and substances.

While there are things that we can do to improve our mental health, we don’t always get the help that we need. This can be due to a number of reasons, including, for example, limited availability of mental health services, their cost, lack of awareness of the services, etc. These challenges can be even greater for people living in a rural community. However, there is limited understanding of the mental health concerns faced by people living in rural British Columbia and their ability to access services that would be helpful.

We are interested in learning about the lived experiences of adults with mental health concerns who live in a rural community. You do not have to have been diagnosed with a mental health disorder by a doctor or other health care provider.

We are also interested in learning about what influences people’s decisions to seek help for their mental health concerns. This research will improve our understanding of the lived experiences of adults with mental health concerns in rural British Columbia. It will also help to identify ways to better support them. We hope our findings will only improve the wellbeing of those in need, and offer valuable insights to mental health service providers.

Participation involves a single online survey. It will take approximately 25 - 35 minutes to complete. The survey includes a variety of kinds of questions (e.g., yes/no responses, rating scales, and some open-ended questions.

To take part in this research, you must:
• be 19 years of age or older.
• live in rural or remote community in BC (i.e., population equal to or less than 20,000).
• Have a mental health concern of any kind (diagnosed or undiagnosed)

Unfortunately, you are not eligible to take part in this research if:
• You have a health problem that seriously impairs your cognitive ability (e.g., you have significant problems with your memory or language)
• You live in a long-term residential/assisted-living home

If you are interested in participating, please follow this link to take the survey: https://bit.ly/MHC_RuralBC

Participants will have the opportunity to enter a draw to win a prize!

If you have any questions, please contact Nataly at [email protected] or Dr. Carolyn Szostak, the lead researcher, at [email protected].

The most powerful, simple and trusted way to gather experience data. Start your journey to experience management and try a free account today.

09/30/2025

Do you work at a community, family, or social service agency? Do you provide mental health-related support to rural community members?

Seeking Rural Mental Health-Related Service Providers for an Online Study!

Little is known about the individuals who provide mental health-related services in rural communities. A number of challenges have been identified for rural mental health service providers as they try to meet the needs of their communities, resulting in burnout and high turnover rates. In recent years, rural communities have also been disproportionately impacted by climate-related events, such as wildfires and floods. This may further add to the demands on mental health service providers.

To improve our understanding of mental health services in rural communities, our study explores the experiences of those providing these services. We are interested in learning about the professional and personal experiences of service providers, especially in regards to recent climate-related events. This study will help to increase knowledge and awareness regarding the individuals providing mental health services and how they can be better supported. We hope our findings will be used to enhance the well-being of both those providing mental health services and those in need of these services in rural communities.

Participation involves a single online survey. You will be asked questions about your personal and professional experiences providing mental health-related services to rural community members. Additionally, you will be asked to share your personal and professional experiences with climate-related events.

To take part in this research, you must:
• be 19 years of age or older.
• live in BC or the Yukon.
• have worked in the same BC/Yukon rural community for at least 6 months. Note: you can work in more than one community, but you must have worked in at least one of the communities for a minimum of 6 months.
• work in a position in which you provide some type of mental health-related services or support to rural community members. The majority of the services that you provide must be in-person. Your training is not important. For example, you may be a doctor or a social worker, or you may work for a family or social service agency. What is essential is that you provide mental health-related services to community members.

If you are interested in participating, please follow this link to take the survey: https://bit.ly/ruralMHproviders

Participants will have the opportunity to enter a draw to win a prize!

If you have any questions, please contact Kendra Corman at [email protected]

The most powerful, simple and trusted way to gather experience data. Start your journey to experience management and try a free account today.

07/05/2025

Seeking Rural Mental Health-Related Service Providers for an Online Study!

Little is known about the individuals who provide mental health-related services in rural communities. A number of challenges have been identified for rural mental health service providers as they try to meet the needs to their communities, resulting in burnout and high turnover rates. In recent years, rural communities have also been disproportionately impacted by climate-related events, such as wildfires and floods. This may further add to the demands on mental health service providers.

To improve our understanding of mental health services in rural communities, our study explores the experiences of those providing these services. We are interested in learning about the professional and personal experiences of service providers, especially in regards to recent climate-related events. This study will help to increase knowledge and awareness regarding the individuals providing mental health services and how they can be better supported. We hope our findings will be used to enhance the well-being of both those providing mental health services and those in need of these services in rural communities.

Participation involves a single online survey. You will be asked questions about your personal and professional experiences providing mental health-related services to rural community members. Additionally, you will be asked to share your personal and professional experiences with climate-related events.

To take part in this research, you must:
• be 19 years of age or older.
• live in BC or the Yukon.
• have worked in the same BC/Yukon rural community for at least 6 months. Note: you can work in more than one community, but you must have worked in at least one of the communities for a minimum of 6 months.
• work in a position in which you provide some type of mental health-related services or support to rural community members. The majority of the services that you provide must be in-person. Your training is not important. For example, you may be a doctor or a social worker, or you may work for a family or social service agency. What is essential is that you provide mental health-related services to community members.

If you are interested in participating, please follow this link to take the survey: https://bit.ly/ruralMHproviders
Participants will have the opportunity to enter a draw to win a prize!

If you have any questions, please contact Kendra Corman at [email protected]

The most powerful, simple and trusted way to gather experience data. Start your journey to experience management and try a free account today.

01/02/2025

Seeking Rural Mental Health-Related Service Providers for an Online Study!

Little is known about the individuals who provide mental health-related services in rural communities. A number of challenges have been identified for rural mental health service providers as they try to meet the needs to their communities, resulting in burnout and high turnover rates. In recent years, rural communities have also been disproportionately impacted by climate-related events, such as wildfires and floods. This may further add to the demands on mental health service providers.

To improve our understanding of mental health services in rural communities, our study explores the experiences of those providing these services. We are interested in learning about the professional and personal experiences of service providers, especially in regards to recent climate-related events. This study will help to increase knowledge and awareness regarding the individuals providing mental health services and how they can be better supported. We hope our findings will be used to enhance the well-being of both those providing mental health services and those in need of these services in rural communities.

Participation involves a single online survey. You will be asked questions about your personal and professional experiences providing mental health-related services to rural community members. Additionally, you will be asked to share your personal and professional experiences with climate-related events.

To take part in this research, you must:
• be 19 years of age or older.
• live in BC or the Yukon.
• have worked in the same BC/Yukon rural community for at least 6 months. Note: you can work in more than one community, but you must have worked in at least one of the communities for a minimum of 6 months.
• work in a position in which you provide some type of mental health-related services or support to rural community members. The majority of the services that you provide must be in-person. Your training is not important. For example, you may be a doctor or a social worker, or you may work for a family or social service agency. What is essential is that you provide mental health-related services to community members.

If you are interested in participating, please follow this link to take the survey: https://bit.ly/ruralMHproviders

Participants will have the opportunity to enter a draw to win a prize!

If you have any questions, please contact Kendra Corman at [email protected]

The most powerful, simple and trusted way to gather experience data. Start your journey to experience management and try a free account today.

12/02/2024

Seeking Rural Mental Health-Related Service Providers for an Online Study!

Little is known about the individuals who provide mental health-related services in rural communities. A number of challenges have been identified for rural mental health service providers as they try to meet the needs to their communities, resulting in burnout and high turnover rates. In recent years, rural communities have also been disproportionately impacted by climate-related events, such as wildfires and floods. This may further add to the demands on mental health service providers.

To improve our understanding of mental health services in rural communities, our study explores the experiences of those providing these services. We are interested in learning about the professional and personal experiences of service providers, especially in regards to recent climate-related events. This study will help to increase knowledge and awareness regarding the individuals providing mental health services and how they can be better supported. We hope our findings will be used to enhance the well-being of both those providing mental health services and those in need of these services in rural communities.

Participation involves a single online survey. You will be asked questions about your personal and professional experiences providing mental health-related services to rural community members. Additionally, you will be asked to share your personal and professional experiences with climate-related events.

To take part in this research, you must:
• be 19 years of age or older.
• live in BC.
• have worked in the same BC rural community for at least 6 months. Note: you can work in more than one community, but you must have worked in at least one of the communities for a minimum of 6 months.
• work in a position in which you provide some type of mental health-related services or support to rural community members. The majority of the services that you provide must be in-person. Your training is not important. For example, you may be a doctor or a social worker, or you may work for a family or social service agency. What is essential is that you provide mental health-related services to community members.

If you are interested in participating, please follow this link to take the survey: https://bit.ly/ruralMHproviders

Participants will have the opportunity to enter a draw to win a prize!

If you have any questions, please contact Kendra Corman at [email protected]

The most powerful, simple and trusted way to gather experience data. Start your journey to experience management and try a free account today.

10/29/2024

Looking for adults living in rural BC with mental health concerns to participate in an online study!

Mental health is important for our wellbeing. As adults, our personal experiences can impact our wellbeing and make it harder to take care of ourselves. While there are things that we can do to improve our mental health, we don’t always get the help that we need. This can be due to a number of reasons, including, for example, limited availability of mental health services, their cost, lack of awareness of the services, etc. These challenges can be even greater for people living in a rural community. However, there is limited understanding of the mental health concerns faced by people living in rural British Columbia and their ability to access services that would be helpful.

We are interested in learning about the lived experiences of adults with mental health concerns who live in a rural community. You do not have to have been diagnosed with a mental health disorder. You may, for example, feel that you struggle at times with depression (feeling sad and blue, unmotivated) or anxiety (feeling nervous and worrying a lot). Or, you may find that you are drinking or using drugs/substances more than you would like or more than usual.

We are also interested in learning about what influences people’s decisions to seek help for mental health concerns. This research will improve our understanding of the lived experiences of adults with mental health concerns in rural British Columbia. It will also help to identify ways to better support them. We hope our findings will only improve the wellbeing of those in need, and offer valuable insights to mental health service providers.

Participation involves a single online survey. It will take approximately 25 - 35 minutes to complete. The survey includes a variety of kinds of questions (e.g., yes/no responses, rating scales, and some open-ended questions.

To take part in this research, you must:
• be 19 years of age or older.
• live in rural or remote community in BC (i.e., population equal to or less than 20,000).
• Have a mental health concern (diagnosed or undiagnosed)

Unfortunately, you are not eligible to take part in this research if:
• You have a health problem that seriously impairs your cognitive ability (e.g., you have significant problems with your memory or language)
• You live in a long-term residential/assisted-living home

If you are interested in participating, please follow this link to take the survey: https://bit.ly/rural_MHC

Participants will have the opportunity to enter a draw to win a prize!

If you have any questions, please contact Fiona Lu at [email protected]. Alternatively, you can contact Dr. Carolyn Szostak, the lead researcher, at [email protected].

The most powerful, simple and trusted way to gather experience data. Start your journey to experience management and try a free account today.

05/17/2024

Program starts on Monday, May 27th!!! If interested, please contact Carley ([email protected])!!

Being There: An Online Psychoeducational Program (Study 2)

We all want to be a good friend, sibling, child, or grandchild to our loved ones. Our friends and family members are critical parts of our lives. That’s why it can be very hard for us when our loved ones are feeling down or going through a rough patch, and need to lean on us. We want to help, but sometimes, helping or supporting them can lead to us feeling stressed, tired, or burned-out. It can be really hard to provide this support to our loved ones when we are experiencing our own ups and downs. If this sounds like something you relate to, keep reading – you might want to participate in this study!

Researchers at UBCO have developed Being There, a six week online psychoeducational program for friends and family members of adults 50 and over with mental health concerns in rural BC. The goal of this program is to provide a resource for supporters to help lessen feelings of burden and distress associated with providing support. The program was revised based upon feedback from individuals who took part in Study 1. At this time, we are looking for participants to A) complete the program, and B) provide feedback about their experiences in the revised program.

Being There consists of information about mental health such as anxiety and depression, ways to improve one’s mental health and manage stress and emotions, and teaches communication skills. Participants will be asked to share their thoughts about the program, and will be asked questions regarding their personal experiences in providing support, including stress, psychological distress, and burnout.

To take part in this research:
• You must be a friend or family member (spouse, sibling, child, etc.) of someone who is at least 50 years of age and who has some type of mental health concern. For example, the person may struggle with symptoms of depression, anxiety, or substance abuse. This person must live in a rural community within BC.
• You must live in the same rural BC community (or within approximately a 1-hour drive)
• You must also be at least 19 years old, and able to speak and read English

Unfortunately, you are not able to participate if you or the supported individual have some kind of health problem that seriously affects either of your cognitive abilities, such as memory or language, or if either of you live in a long-term, residential care home. Also, if you took part in Study 1, you are not able to participate again.

If you think you might be eligible, and are interested in accessing this program for free and earning up to $60 by helping the researchers evaluate the program, please contact Carley Paterson at [email protected] to learn more!

02/20/2024

Participants Needed for Online Survey

Who is in your social circle?

Researchers from UBC Okanagan are interested in learning more about the social networks of adults 50 years and older. We hope to gain insight into the social connections that make up the social networks to help us better understand how to improve the quality of these relationships and, hopefully, enhance people’s well-being.

Study Title: Social networks & wellbeing

Criteria:
- Are you 50 years of age or older?
- Do you live in BC? We are looking for people who live in rural/remote AND urban/semi-urban communities within BC.

If you answered yes to these questions, you are eligible to participate.

Survey participants will have the opportunity to enter a draw for a chance to win one of five prizes!

Most people are able to complete the survey in about 1.5 hours. The exact time will depend upon how many people are in your social network.

To participate, please click on the following link: https://bit.ly/SN_wellbeing

If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact: Harsh*ta Gupta ([email protected]), Sui Lin Rodriguez ([email protected]), or Dr. Carolyn Szostak ([email protected]).

01/22/2024

Participants Needed for Online Survey: Social networks & wellbeing

Who is in your social circle? Researchers from UBC Okanagan are interested in learning more about the social networks of adults 50 years and older. We hope to gain insight into the social connections that make up the social networks to help us better understand how to improve the quality of these relationships and, hopefully, enhance people’s well-being.

Criteria:
- Are you 50 years of age or older?
- Do you live in BC? We are looking for people who live in rural/remote AND urban/semi-urban communities within BC.

If you answered yes to these questions, you are eligible to participate. Survey participants will have the opportunity to enter a draw for a chance to win one of five prizes!

Most people are able to complete the survey in about 1.5 hours. The exact time will depend upon how many people are in your social network.

To participate, please click on the following link: https://bit.ly/SN_wellbeing

If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact: Dr. Carolyn Szostak ([email protected]).

11/20/2023

I'd like to introduce you to members of the lab!

My name is Carley Paterson, I am a third year PhD student in the Clinical Psychology program. My research primarily focuses on the experiences of friends and family (supporters) of adults 50 years and older in rural BC who are struggling with mental health concerns. For my dissertation, I am designing and evaluating an online psychoeducational program for these supporters, with the goal to improve their own well-being and that of those they support. Separate from my research, I am also training in various clinical placements providing psychological assessment and intervention services to the community. For fun, I love spending time with my friends and family (including my cat, Lila!), reading books, playing volleyball, and being active outdoors!

11/19/2023

For two decades, World Su***de Prevention Day has been a catalyst for change by raising awareness, reducing stigma and encouraging action to prevent su***de and suicidal behaviour. Help us bring global attention to this cause and to raise funds to support 20 more years of vital su***de prevention awareness.

Over the next 20 days, the International Association for Su***de Prevention (IASP) aims to raise crucial funds to expand the reach of our awareness programmes, enhance resources, and support those in need. Every dollar donated contributes directly to our global mission to prevent su***de.

Your contribution matters. By donating today, you become an advocate for hope. Together, we can amplify our impact, reach more individuals in crisis, and provide vital resources to encourage understanding around su***de.

Share with 20 people. Donate $20.

Go to: https://www.iasp.info/20daysofhope/ for more information.

10/31/2023

Who is in your social circle?
Members of the UBCO Social Support & Wellbeing Lab are interested in learning more about the social networks of adults 50 years and older who struggle, at times, with their mental well-being. We hope to gain insight into the social connections that make up the social networks to help us better understand how to improve the quality of these relationships and, hopefully, enhance people’s well-being.

Study Title: Social networks of adults 50 years and older with mental health concerns in BC

- Are you 50 years of age or older?
- Do you frequently feel down or blue, unmotivated? Worried or anxious? Or do you have concerns about your use of alcohol or drugs?
- Do you live in BC? We are looking for people who live in rural/remote AND urban/semi-urban communities within BC.

If you answered yes to these questions, you are eligible to participate. Please note, you do not need to have been diagnosed with a mental health disorder to participate.

Survey participants will have the opportunity to enter a draw for a chance to win one of five prizes!

Most people are able to complete the survey in about 1.5 hours. The exact time will depend upon how many people are in your social network.

To participate, please click on the following link: https://bit.ly/SocialNetworks2023
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact: Harsh*ta Gupta ([email protected]) or Carolyn Szostak ([email protected]).