Digital Commons Network^™

Impact Of Administrative Support On Staff Mental Health, Crystal L. Capps

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The purpose of this mixed methods study was to examine the impact of administrative support on staff mental health. Research questions were created for this research study and were investigated throughout its design and implementation. This research study involved participation from three district-approved schools: one elementary, one middle, and one high school in eastern North Carolina. Two surveys were designed, one for educators and one for administrators. Once the research was completed, the data were analyzed for key themes regarding how mental health affects educators in the classroom. Themes were identified to determine the impact of administrative support on staff …

Introducing Mental Health Resources To Nurse Practitioner Residents, Tiffanie Bailey

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

This DNP Project identified the increased need for mental health resources after the COVID-19 pandemic. Studies showed the rate of anxiety, depression, and substance use has also been on the rise since the beginning of the pandemic. As the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic began to devastate the country mentally and physically, it became quickly apparent that additional resources to provide support for those suffering from mental illness were essential. This project aimed to introduce a Mental Health First Aid course within the Residency Program at the Center for Family Guidance. Participants were asked to complete a pre-test indicating their …

Mental Health And The Black Church: Decreasing The Division In Divinity, Latonya Gray

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Racial disparities in mental health care persist for Black Americans, with only one in three who need treatment receiving it. The care they do receive is often of a poorer quality than that of other groups. Faith communities serving Black members could help address this gap by partnering with mental health professionals to meet congregants' needs. With mental health now at the forefront of public discourse, considering the specific needs of the Black community is critical. Black Americans face disproportionate mental health burdens but are more likely to seek counsel from clergy due to cultural stigma. Educating clergy on mental …

The Impacts Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Various Aspects Of Child And Adolescent Lives: A Literature Review, Alissa Carpenter

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Coronavirus 19 or COVID-19 is a spherical, enveloped virus that causes a lower respiratory tract infection with symptoms including pneumonia, fever, and difficulty breathing (Ochani et al., 2021). This virus caused a global pandemic that infected millions of people and killed over a million people. The aim of this literature review is to examine how the social-distance mandates and quarantines affected various aspects of child and adolescent life and development. This review examines language and speech impairment, behavioral changes/challenges, academic performance, mental health (specifically depression and anxiety), child abuse and neglect, and student-athlete experiences. The results found that language and …

Meeting The Mental Health Needs Of Students: Evaluating Public High School Principal Preparedness And Perceptions, Brian C. Johnson

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative study was threefold: first, to measure high school principal preparedness to meet the increased mental health needs of students; second, to determine principal perceptions of mental health frameworks and needs; and third, to assist with creating a better understanding of what high school principals may need to meet the mental health concerns of their students. The study was completed using a survey titled Meeting the Mental Health Needs of Students: High School Principal Survey. The survey was designed from the Project Cal-Well Statewide Principals Survey Template utilized in California. Additional survey questions were created to …

North Carolina Public School Educator Perceptions Of Teaching During Covid And Impacts On Burnout, Leah Huttlinger

Doctor of Education Dissertations

Educators in North Carolina have been burdened with many different negative stressors, such as low pay, increasing class sizes, and violence in the classroom, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only added to the role of the educator. Current research suggests an inevitable exodus of teachers due to the increased stress brought by the pandemic. Through this mixed methods study, I sought to examine relationships between COVID-19 stress, physical and mental health symptoms, and occupational burnout. Using Pearson’s correlation coefficient, I determined statistical relationships between specific domains of COVID stress and the physical and mental health of North Carolina educators. There …

Improving Self-Care Awareness Among Undergraduate Nursing Students, D'Anna Helms

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

The purpose of this DNP project was to improve self-care (SC) awareness among undergraduate nursing students by educating on the use of constructive SC activities. Twenty-two senior level nursing students attended an educational seminar, completed the Mindful Self-Care Scale – Clinical (MSCS-C) pre- and post-survey, and reflective journaling. A paired-samples t test was calculated to compare the mean pretest score to the mean posttest score. The mean on the pretest was 77.68 (sd= 9.33), and the mean on the posttest was 75.27 (sd= 31.59). A significant increase from pretest to posttest was found (t (21) = .307, p < .05). Thematical analysis revealed enhanced awareness and incorporation of constructive SC activities. Educational interventions which seek to improve SC awareness will generate practical and sustainable acts of SC, thus improving students’ overall success and further empowering students in their transition from graduate to licensed nurses.

Decreasing Stigma And Increasing Partnership: The Black Church And Mental Health Community, Harriet Lakisha Bryant

Education Projects

Mental illness of any form needing mental health assistance has come with some negative stigmas and perceived apprehension in the Black community. African Americans' low use of mental health services, historically and presently, has been well-documented. As a result, many African Americans seek assistance from within their faith-based organization, particularly their clergy staff. Pastors influence views on mental health counseling and mental health-seeking attitudes of their congregants. For my consultancy, I partnered with Watts Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, a predominantly African American church to integrate mental health services into their church-based programming and to conduct an analysis of best practices …

Importance Of Linking Mental Health And Physical Recovery In Females, Lauren Deaver

EXSI 432/532: Research Methods in Exercise Science: Research Proposal Posters

This project is a single side poster diving into why it is important to study specifically females in ACL tear rehabilitation and mental health.

Proposal Of The Need For Mental Health First Aid Training Of Associate Degree Nursing Faculty In A Community College Setting, Amy Kelly

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

Mental health issues are on the rise among students in universities as well as community colleges. College can be a stressful time in many people’s lives especially when the added demand of work and family are involved. Community colleges and universities use counseling services for their mental health needs but sometimes the services are not used due to the stigma that comes along with mental health. Nursing school can be a challenging time for students because of the rigorous training and workload. This project poses to implement Mental Health First Aid Training (MHFA) for faculty and staff of a nursing …

Gwu Hosts Man Who Survived Suicide Jump From Golden Gate Bridge, Office Of University Communications

Gardner-Webb NewsCenter Archive

Kevin Hines is one of the few people to jump off the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Calif., and survive the suicide attempt. Hines will describe what led him to consider taking his own life and discuss “The Art of Wellness” in a program on Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. at Gardner-Webb University. The event is free and open to the public and will be held in the Paul Porter Arena at Lutz-Yelton Convocation Center.

Mental Health Advocate Coming To Gardner-Webb, Office Of University Communications, Katie Furr

Gardner-Webb NewsCenter Archive

A man who is familiar with both perseverance and suicide will be speaking at Gardner-Webb’s Dimensions program on Tuesday, Oct. 3. This event will be held at 9:25 a.m. in Stewart Hall of Tucker Student Center on GWU’s main campus and is free and open to the public. Dennis Gillan lost two brothers to suicide and handled each one differently.

Depression And Personal Depression Stigma Among Hospital Employed Nurses, Christy Herman Moose

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Background. Nurses experience depression at twice the rate of the general public. Personal depression stigma may complicate the issue by creating a barrier to help-seeking behaviors. This study sought to determine if depressed nurses have a higher rate of personal depression stigma than non-depressed nurses. Method. This study used a quantitative study design and a convenience sampling method of nurses at a community hospital. Data was obtained using a web-based survey that included the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 item depression scale (PHQ-9) and the Depression Stigma Scale – personal (DSS – personal). The total depression score (TDS) was used to …

Gwu Psychology Grad Learned Real-World Lessons From His Professors’ Experiences, Office Of University Communications

Gardner-Webb NewsCenter Archive

One of the more valuable lessons Jamie Hughes learned as a psychology major at Gardner-Webb University kept him from making the wrong career choice. His professors in the School of Psychology came from different backgrounds and shared their personal experiences with students. He also heard from a variety of guest speakers who could shed light on possible jobs and career paths.

Southern Baptist Leader Offers Mental Health Hope During Visit To Gardner-Webb University, Office Of University Communications

Gardner-Webb NewsCenter Archive

After Gardner-Webb University alumnus Dr. Frank Page lost his daughter to suicide, he discovered a calling to help save others who are battling mental health illnesses. Page, now president and CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) executive committee, visited Gardner-Webb on March 17 to encourage students, local ministers and community members who are dealing with their own psychological challenges and the trials of others. When his daughter, Melissa, took her own life in 2009, Page faced the immense grief that suicides cause for thousands of American families, marriages, churches and friends each year.

WGWG: Dimensions with Frank Page

Relationship Between Psychotropic Drugs And Falls In The Geriatric Population, Lauren E. Fletcher Crotts

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Falls in the geriatric population are extremely common and the risk for falls continues to increase with age. Falls are a leading cause of mortality in the geriatric population, and it is the number one reason for institutionalization in the United States. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship of the prescribing effects of psychotropic medications such as antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and antipsychotics on falls in the geriatric population who live in a long term care community with a diagnosis of depression, dementia, anxiety, delirium, and Alzheimer's disease. The literature provided mixed conclusions on the effects of psychotropic …