Social connectedness, which refers to a sense of belonging to an individual or group, is a central human need. It is a known protective factor for mental health and well-being, and prevents youth from doing risky things, which has lasting effects into adulthood. The COVID-19 pandemic has made it tough for kids to feel connected, and we think it might affect them for a long time.
We want to gather information to create a toolkit that supports social connectedness and we want to include the perspectives of children with disability in this toolkit. This toolkit will help kids in Grades 6, 7, and 8 feel more connected enhance their mental health and well-being. We will ask kids to join in and share their thoughts through three interviews and other art-based activities. The toolkit will be made with the help of kids, and we will try it out during the study to see if it helps. Participants will have the option to take part in virtual or in-person interviews and they will receive a gift card for each interview they participate in.
Please contact ingauge@umanitoba.ca for more information.