Examining mental health supports in the K-12 school system

Nova Heartland is investigating mental health supports in educational environments. The Master of Education in Educational Leadership grad’s research focused on K-12 school systems and found there is “unfulfilled potential” when it comes to implementing and scaling up these resources with educational systems.

She conducted the research with the help of a British Columbia Graduate Scholarship, a merit-based scholarship meant to break down barriers to affordable and accessible post-secondary education.

We caught up with Nova to find out more about her research and what she likes best about being a grad student. 

Describe your research.

I examine the links between educational leadership, in-school mental health support and learner welfare. My research addresses K-12 school systems, as well as special educational environments, such as military training and development.

What have you found out so far? 

There is unfulfilled potential in the areas of educational leadership and pedagogical practices when it comes to implementing and scaling up mental health resources within educational systems to create comprehensive learning environments. 

What do you like best about being a graduate student? 

In addition to the street cred that comes with being a grad student, I like the autonomy to approach my studies through my own research area interests and the opportunity to mobilize knowledge.

What advice do you have for new grad students, or those thinking of going to grad school? 

If your gut feeling tells you that you have “unfinished business” in academia, then this is a good sign that you may want to delve into further studies on a graduate level.   

What VIU resource do you wish you would have known about sooner?

The wellness team has therapy dogs to snuggle with every week. 

What’s after grad school for you? 

More research and a potential doctorate degree all while managing a career in National Defence and running a mental health charity called The Wellness Camper. Oh, and snuggling cute animals of course.