INSPIRE: INcreasing Students' Pathways to Information, Resilience, and Empowerment

The uncertainties and change due to the COVID-19 global pandemic have worsened the existing mental health strains faced by post-secondary students (PS). PS are already at-risk due to the myriad of stressors related to academic pressure, family expectation, identity development, and role changes. Yet, evidence indicate a further increase of up to 40% in psychological problems in response to the pandemic, thus highlighting the urgent need for mental health and resilience promotion. However, service shortages due to changing guidelines and closures have reduced PS access to programs that may support them in their unique experiences and challenges. The INcreasing Students' Pathways to Information, Resilience, and Empowerment (INSPIRE) Program seeks to address the worsening mental health of PS impacted by the pandemic by building resilience capacity in individuals and communities. My post-doctoral research builds on the Multi-System Model of Resilience (MSMR), a theoretical model I developed and validated across several populations. The MSMR recognizes resilience as an evolving capacity stemming from how well resilience resources are mobilized in response to ongoing needs. My program of research will identify the unique experiences threatening PS mental health within the framework of the MSMR, and develop corresponding intervention strategies following evidence-based approaches. The INSPIRE program will use e-learning platform and gamified activities to build resilience capacities. As part of the planned integrated knowledge translation, an advisory committee will be formed to engage stakeholders in program planning, design, and knowledge dissemination through both novel (e.g., social media, digital storytelling) and traditional (e.g., community forums, conferences, papers) channels. Findings will generate a framework for mental health and resilience intervention program and delivery that can be scaled to extend reach and adapted for other population groups.