_edited.png)
Wellbeing Innovation Lab Mission
Our mission is to improve the wellbeing of individuals experiencing diverse psychological difficulties via innovative, effective, and acceptable psychological interventions. Specifically, we aim to research and optimize the interventions in terms of:
-
intervention content and processes;
-
therapist practices; and
-
implementation approaches in routine care.
Goals
The Wellbeing Innovation Lab’s goals are:
-
To design, evaluate, and optimize innovative, effective, and acceptable psychological interventions by bringing together a collaborative team of researchers, clinicians, students, and community stakeholders, including individuals with lived experience.
-
To foster psychological wellbeing among individuals by providing support online, inspiring hope, enhancing understanding and skill development, and facilitating behavioural change.
-
To transform mental health services by conducting patient-oriented research in routine care, whereby research is conducted as part of practice and this research is used to optimize care.
-
To train the next generation of researchers and clinicians to enhance wellbeing via innovative psychological interventions.
Overview
The Wellbeing Innovation Lab conducts research designed to improve the psychological wellbeing and functioning of individuals suffering from clinical and subclinical mental health conditions.
Early lab research focused on optimizing face-to-face assessment and treatment of mental health conditions (e.g., assessment and treatment of health anxiety and chronic pain). We also broadly focused on improving face-to-face healthcare delivery (e.g., continuity of care, care pathways).
The lab’s research has evolved to focus on improving access to, and optimizing the effectiveness and acceptability of, Internet-delivered interventions as part of routine care. Through our research, we aim to enhance the wellbeing of individuals suffering from mental health difficulties. We embrace a micro-learning health system model, whereby we conduct research as part of routine care and use this research to optimize routine care. Research is typically conducted in two online clinics:
-
The Online Therapy Unit, a Saskatchewan government-funded online clinic that supports delivery and evaluation of Internet-delivered cognitive behaviour therapy (ICBT) throughout Saskatchewan.
-
PSPNET, a federally-funded online clinic that delivers and researches ICBT for public safety personnel (PSP) across Canada.
Populations
Our studies have explored ways to improve psychological wellbeing for several populations varying in demographic characteristics, including individuals living with:
-
Low mood, depression, anxiety, stress
-
Alcohol use
-
Chronic conditions (chronic pain, cancer, cardiac conditions, spinal cord injury)
-
Occupational trauma and stressors (i.e., PSP)
Methodology
Our lab has published research using various methodologies, including:
-
Randomized controlled and factorial trials
-
Longitudinal observational research
-
Interviews/focus groups
-
Content analysis of de-identified therapeutic exchanges
-
Online survey research
-
Audits
-
Systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and meta-regressions
-
Implementation research, including lessons learned
We embrace patient-oriented research, whereby we engage with individuals with lived experience throughout the research process.
Training
The Wellbeing Innovation Lab facilitates training of undergraduate and graduate students as well as post-doctoral fellows. Students have the opportunity to conduct thesis research in the lab, complete research internships, and may also be employed through research grants or contracts. Students typically gain experience in both qualitative and quantitative data analysis and prospective and retrospective studies.
Affiliations
The Wellbeing Innovation Lab conducts research in the Online Therapy Unit and PSPNET and collaborates with researchers within the Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Science, Faculty of Social Work, Johnson Shoyama School of Public Policy, and Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment. The lab is also affiliated with the Saskatchewan Health Authority and Saskatchewan Ministry of Health. Furthermore, we conduct collaborative research with international research institutions in Australia, Sweden, and other countries around the world.
Funding
Students in the lab hold various national and provincial scholarships. Research in the Wellbeing Innovation Lab is currently supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation, and the Saskatchewan Centre for Patient-Oriented Research. The Online Therapy Unit is funded by the Saskatchewan government, and PSPNET is funded by the Canadian government as well as other provincial governments and organizations.
Location
The Wellbeing Innovation Lab is located in College West at the University of Regina in space developed with funding from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation Leaders Opportunity Fund.