NKU Showcasing New Tool to Help Students Struggling with Mental Health Due to Pandemic

April 18, 2023 - The Institute for Health Innovation (IHI) at NKU has a new tool to help students who are experiencing psychological distress as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to a grant from the National Institute of Health (NIH) National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NNLM). 

Drs. Elkins and McDade surveyed nearly 600 NKU students and found that the overwhelming majority experienced some type of psychological distress in relation to COVID-19 pandemic. The students reported symptoms of depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance and disassociation and as a result, the IHI saw a need for new resources to help those students. 

Students and community members now have access to an innovative new website called “Mental Health Warriors” which provides a wealth of information and coping tools to those who continue to suffer from post pandemic psychological distress. 

“We are blessed to have had the opportunity to receive funding to create such vital resources for students and the surrounding community,” Dr. Rebecca Elkins and Dr. Rhyanne McDade, researchers and NKU faculty members, said. “It is our hope that students and community residents alike find these tools helpful and enjoyable.” 

Dr. Rebecca Elkins and Dr. Rhyanne McDade are available for interviews to provide a deeper look into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on student psychological distress, how the new tool will assist the community, and how NKU is working to help. 

To learn more about the initiatives of the IHI, visit its website.