# data[].attributes.body
I chose this topic because nutrition is important for mental health, pregnant women and newborns. This includes prenatal care, healthy diet, and breastmilk/formula. This topic was explored when developing plan of care during the hospital with patient histories, treatment and recoveries.

# data[].attributes.body
I chose this topic because safety is important in mental health and maternity. These include hourly rounding, skin-to-skin contact for babies, cord clamping, boundaries, and assessments.

# data[].attributes.body
I chose this topic because I think this is an important topic especially for women. Breastfeeding is a topic with lots of research. This is meaningful to me to educate mothers about breastfeeding and providing resources. It is also important to consider that some mothers are not able to breastfeed or choose to breastfeed.

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I chose this topic because it is important to consider how poverty can impact pregnancy and parenting. Our world is diverse and poverty can be experienced differently for everyone. It can positively and negatively affect and can be generational.

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This picture is meaningful to me as it represents parenting. It also highlights poverty with parenting. I have explored this topic through my mental health and maternity placement this term. This impacts my personal and professional growth in nursing by considering that the world family and its meaning is different for everyone. Parents work really hard to make ends meet for kids and they always end up making it work. I will always appreciate this. This is seen in practice every day, in long-term care, palliative care, maternity, mental health support etc.

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I chose this topic because during my clinical placement, I noticed there are multiple units including a CAPU where children experiencing mental health stay and PASU where adults experiencing mental health stay. In the crisis unit, there are adults and children. This holds meaning to me because children as young as five years old experience mental health and it is important to consider this and be mindful in our practice.

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This picture is meaningful to me as it represents that mental health can affect everyone at all ages. It is important to consider this as we live in a vulnerable world. Support is key for one another. Daily check-ins, trust, and empathy can help support someone experiencing mental health.

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I chose this as an artifact for my topic because it represents that as we get older and discover who we are, the fractures (broken pieces) are the design. There is a lot of negative thoughts with broken pieces in our lives without recognizing they make up who we are. This quote presents this really well.

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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mhp.2024.200361

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https://doi-org.proxy1.lib.trentu.ca/10.1080/13607863.2022.2076206

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Off-Campus Resource Access Login - Trent University Library & Archives

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This resource is licensed for your use by Trent University Library & Archives. Off-campus access is restricted to members of the Trent community.

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This is my art piece for my art gallery picture and reflection. This is meaningful to me to remind and allow us to reflect on how important mental health is. It is a part of our lives and sometimes we might need some help. it highlights that mental health is our health and we need to take care of it. It comes first!

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Introduction & Mental Health can affect everyone :)

# data[].attributes.body
Clarkin, J., Heywood, C., & Robinson, J. L. (2024). Are younger people more accurate at identifying mental health disorders, recommending help appropriately, and do they show lower mental health stigma than older people? Age differences in mental health disorder recognition.  Mental Health & Prevention, 36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mhp.2024.200361

Finch, L. E., Hawkley, L., Krummenacher, C. I., Stripp, S., Sterrett, D., & Smith, T. W. (2022). Age differences in mental health from May through August 2020 among U.S. adults: trajectories and the role of pandemic, lifestyle, and social factors. Aging & Mental Health, 27(6), 1181–1189. https://doi-org.proxy1.lib.trentu.ca/10.1080/13607863.2022.2076206

Photo & Quote: Unsplash

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I chose this artifact because I really like this quote. It highlights how important it is not to jump to conclusions, assume, or skip things. Everyone has a story that includes a past, present and future. As nurses we provide non-judgemental care. We identify our values and biases.

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https://doi.org/10.17269/s41997-024-00853-1

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Abstract

Period poverty is the lack of access to menstrual products, sexual and reproductive health education, safe waste management, and adequate facilities. Despite its being a public health issue and a significant concern for numerous Canadians, there is a lack of peer-reviewed research on period poverty in Canada. Existing Canadian research has primarily been conducted by non-profit organizations/charities or industry leaders for menstrual products, resulting in incomplete data. More research is needed to explore the menstrual inequities in Canada and their impact on the well-being of Canadians. This is a critical step to ensure the menstrual needs of Canadians are appropriately addressed.

Résumé

La précarité menstruelle est le manque d'accès aux produits pour la menstruation, à l'éducation à la santé sexuelle et reproductive, à la gestion sûre des déchets et à des installations adéquates. Bien que ce soit un problème de santé publique et une préoccupation importante pour bon nombre de Canadiennes et de Canadiens, il n'y a pas assez de recherche évaluée par les pairs sur la précarité menstruelle au pays. La recherche canadienne existante a principalement été menée par des organismes caritatifs/à but non lucratif ou par les grandes entreprises de produits pour la menstruation, ce qui explique que les données sont incomplètes. Il faut pousser la recherche pour explorer l'iniquité menstruelle au Canada et ses effets sur le bien-être des Canadiennes et des Canadiens. C'est une étape essentielle pour pouvoir aborder convenablement les besoins menstruels de la population.

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Authors and Affiliations

1. Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada

Ann C. Lee

2. Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Political Science, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada

Leisha Toory

3. Faculty of Medicine, Division of Adolescent Health, CHEO, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada

Megan E. Harrison

Contributions

ACL contributed to the design, drafting, and revision. LT contributed to the design and revision. MEH contributed to the conception, design, and revision. All authors approve this manuscript for publication and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

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Correspondence to Megan E. Harrison.

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Lee, A.C., Toory, L. & Harrison, M.E. Menstrual health inequities and "period poverty" in Canada. Can J Public Health 115, 502-506 (2024). https://doi.org/10.17269/s41997-024-00853-1
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# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Menstrual health inequities and "period poverty" in Canada - Canadian Journal of Public Health

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Period poverty is the lack of access to menstrual products, sexual and reproductive health education, safe waste management, and adequate facilities. Despite its being a public health issue and a significant concern for numerous Canadians, there is a lack of peer-reviewed research on period poverty in Canada.

# data[].attributes.body
https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci11030119

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Parenting Challenges and Opportunities among Families Living in Poverty

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Poverty-related stressors have been found to impact parenting behaviors which can result in adverse outcomes for children. The current qualitative study focused on understanding the challenges of caregivers (N = 70) living in poverty. The sample was diverse and included mothers, fathers, and grandparents raising grandchildren. Stories of caregivers were gathered to improve the understanding of families living in poverty in an effort to work towards changing how our world supports families that are vulnerable. Results indicate that families experiencing poverty and related risk factors experience challenges in the realm of child safety, education, and racism/prejudice. Families also discussed ways to improve their environment which included increased financial resources, increased access to high-quality healthcare and childcare, and positive environmental change. Note that the current study outlines the complexity of parenting in poverty and that associated challenges are intertwined. Recommendations are made to address systemic barriers at the individual and community level in an effort to better support caregivers experiencing adversity and parenting in the 21st century.

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Podcast :)

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Beasley, L. O., Jespersen, J. E., Morris, A. S., Farra, A., & Hays-Grudo, J. (2022). Parenting Challenges and Opportunities among Families Living in Poverty. Social Sciences (Basel), 11(3), 119-. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci11030119

Lee, A. C., Toory, L., & Harrison, M. E. (2024). Menstrual health inequities and “period poverty” in Canada. Canadian Journal of Public Health, 115(3), 502–506. https://doi.org/10.17269/s41997-024-00853-1

Photo: Unsplash

# data[].attributes.body
This artifact is meaningful as it represents the techniques of breastfeeding. I got to experience a lactation consultant educate a mother about breastfeeding her baby because there were latching issues. While I was in the NICU, some of the mothers didn't have enough breastmilk so they were able to use donated and a combo with formula. It is a topic that isn't widely talked about due to stigma and social barriers. It is amazing that women can make breastmilk to feed their newborns.

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This is a drawing I did to represent that breastmilk is good but it's not always that option for everyone. In this period of time, it is important to recognize that babies can be fed more than one way to promote nutrition. I really like this. It was mentioned in my 2021 lab.

# data[].attributes.body
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-024-06601-0

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The effect of breastfeeding education given through the teach-back method on mothers’ breastfeeding self-efficacy and breastfeeding success: a randomized controlled study - BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

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Background An individualized education using visual aids, allowing the woman to demonstrate what she has learned, and providing the opportunity for the woman to ask questions are important in terms of breastfeeding self-efficacy, breastfeeding success, and the sustainability of the education. This study is original in evaluating the effectiveness and sustainability of breastfeeding education provided through the teach-back method in terms of breastfeeding self-efficacy and success in a short period of time. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine the impact of teach-back method on mothers’ breastfeeding self-efficacy and breastfeeding success. Materials and methods This is a randomized controlled study. The population of this study consisted of women who gave birth in the obstetrics and gynecology department of a state hospital located in Çorlu, in the northwest region of Turkey, between March 2022 and August 2022. The sample of this study consisted of a total of 100 postpartum women, with 50 participants in the experimental group and 50 participants in the control group, who gave birth in the obstetrics and gynecology department of Çorlu State Hospital. Computer-assisted simple randomization was employed to ensure the homogeneous distribution of the women into the experimental and control groups. The women in the experimental group received education and counseling services using the Teach-Back Method, based on the content of the prepared Breastfeeding Education Guide. The control group mothers, on the other hand, received standard breastfeeding education and counseling services. The data were collected through face-to-face interviews during the first 24 h postpartum and at the 1-month follow-up visits. In the study, the data collection tools used were a Personal Information Form, LATCH Breastfeeding Assessment and Evaluation Scale, Postpartum Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale (short form), and the Teach-Back Observation Tool. In the evaluation of the research findings, the SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) version 25.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) program was used for statistical analyses. Descriptive, graphical, and statistical methods were employed to examine whether the scores obtained from each continuous variable followed a normal distribution. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to assess the normality of the scores derived from a continuous variable using statistical methods. Results In the study, no significant difference was found in the distribution of the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants according to the study groups. In the experimental group, which received training with the tell-what-you-learned method, the mothers’ average EÖYÖ scores before the training, at the 24th hour after the training and at the 1st month after the training were 46.41 ± 11.26, respectively; It was determined to be 66.23 ± 6.94 and 67.84 ± 6.27. In the measurements made during the follow-up, it was determined that there was a significant difference in the study group’s EÖYÖ score averages (p < 0,001). For mothers in the experimental group, the average LATCH score of the mothers before training, 24 h after training and 1 month after training was 7.73 ± 1.81, respectively; It was determined that these values were 8.66 ± 1.61 and 9.95 ± 0.30, and there was a significant difference in the mean LATCH scores of the study group in the measurements made during the follow-up (p < 0.001). Conclusions Breastfeeding education provided through the teach-back method is more effective in increasing both breastfeeding success and breastfeeding self-efficacy when compared to standard breastfeeding education. Trial registration Iran Randomized Clinical Trial Center IRCT20220509054795N2 Date of first registration: 10/11/2022.

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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloepi.2025.100192

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Podcast :)

# data[].attributes.body
Cetindemir, E. O., & Cangol, E. (2024). The effect of breastfeeding education given through the teach-back method on mothers’ breastfeeding self-efficacy and breastfeeding success: a randomized controlled study. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 24(1), 453–12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-024-06601-0

Miranda, A. R., Barral, P. E., Scotta, A. V., Cortez, M. V., & Soria, E. A. (2025). An overview of reviews of breastfeeding barriers and facilitators: Analyzing global research trends and hotspots. Global Epidemiology, 9, 100192-. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloepi.2025.100192

Photos: Unsplash & my own artwork

# data[].attributes.body
This picture shows skin-to-skin contact of a newborn and mother. It is meaningful to represent safety for the baby. The mother and baby are together and cared for together.

# data[].attributes.body
I chose this video as it highlights our roles as nurses in patient safety and interventions. This is important as a nursing student and as a future RN. Medication safety, infection control, advocacy are highlighted in this video.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Promoting Patient Safety Being The Crucial Role of Nurses (5 Minutes)

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Podcast :)

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BioTech Whisperer. (2023, October 2). Promoting Patient Safety Being The Crucial Role of Nurses (5 Minutes). [Youtube]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FS4Nmfmf5cA

Borders, A., Perrault, A., Johnson, I., Smart, B. P., & Lee King, P. (2021). 1091 Improving postpartum access to care: diverse hospitals implement postpartum maternal safety strategies. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 224(2), S672–S673. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2020.12.1115

Harrison, L. (2023). Losing sleep : risk, responsibility, and infant sleep safety. New York University Press. https://doi.org/10.18574/nyu/9781479801206.001.0001

Waddell, A. E., & Gratzer, D. (2022). Patient Safety and Mental Health—A Growing Quality Gap in Canada. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 67(4), 247–250. https://doi.org/10.1177/07067437211036596

Photos: Unsplash and my own artwork

# data[].attributes.body
I chose this artifact because it represents a balanced bowl of nutritious items for pregnant women. There are a variety of items to choose from. Having nutritious food has benefits for the mother and the baby.

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I chose this artifact as it beautifully represents food for the brain. There is a variety of food shown including berries, fish and vegetables. They fuel and support the brain. We explored this topic with education and resources for support for those experiencing mental health.

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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2021.12.035

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https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2022.943998

# data[].attributes.body
Podcast :)

# data[].attributes.body
Grajek, M., Krupa-Kotara, K., Bialek-Dratwa, A., Sobczyk, K., Grot, M., Kowalski, O., & Staskiewicz, W. (2022). Nutrition and mental health: A review of current knowledge about the impact of diet on mental health. Frontiers in Nutrition (Lausanne), 9, 943998–943998. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2022.943998

Marshall, N. E., Abrams, B., Barbour, L. A., Catalano, P., Christian, P., Friedman, J. E., Hay, W. W., Hernandez, T. L., Krebs, N. F., Oken, E., Purnell, J. Q., Roberts, J. M., Soltani, H., Wallace, J., & Thornburg, K. L. (2022). The importance of nutrition in pregnancy and lactation: lifelong consequences. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 226(5), 607–632. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2021.12.035

Artifact #1:

Haakaa. (n.d). Pregnancy Nutrition. https://www.haakaa.co.nz/blogs/blog/pregnancy-nutrition

Artifact #2:

Thesomegirl. (2021, February 1). Food for healthy brain stock photo. IStock. [image]. https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/food-for-healthy-brain-gm1299079243-391814158?utm_campaign=srp_photos_top&utm_content=https%3A%2F%2Funsplash.com%2Fs%2Fphotos%2Fnutrition-mental-health&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=unsplash&utm_term=nutrition+mental+health%3A%3A%3A