Staying Calm and Well in the Midst of the COVID-19 Storm: One University's Longitudinal Outcomes Evaluation of a Mental Health and Well-Being Webinar Series

Authors

  • Bernadette Mazurek Melnyk The Ohio State University
  • Megan Amaya The Ohio State University
  • Andreanna Pavan Hsieh The Ohio State University
  • Rebecca Momany The Ohio State University
  • Josh Winn The Ohio State University
  • Logan J. Forbes The Ohio State University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18061/bhac.v5i2.8335

Keywords:

COVID-19, mental health, faculty, university or universities, outcomes evaluation

Abstract

Background: As the COVID-19 pandemic began, wellness leadership at a large Mid-west public university anticipated an increase in mental health problems among faculty and staff. A two-part weekly webinar series entitled "Staying Calm and Well in the Midst of the COVID-19 Storm" was launched to assist faculty and staff in coping with stressful issues related to the pandemic and enhancing their well-being. This series provided the university community with evidence-based knowledge, skills, and resources to enhance their ability in taking good self-care.

Aim: To assess participant mental health outcomes during the two-part mental health and well-being educational webinar series over time.

Methods: A longitudinal outcomes evaluation was conducted. Evaluation data was obtained from the participants via an anonymous post-webinar survey, which included questions from the Patient-Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4) to assess symptoms of anxiety and depression. The first series was conducted over the course of 8 weeks and the second series took place over 7 weeks. Descriptive statistics were used to assess responses to the PHQ-4 over time to evaluate outcomes of the webinar series. An open-ended question also asked participants about the 2 to 3 biggest concerns and worries they had at that moment.   

Results: The average amount of survey responses received were 1,470.25 (SD = ± 240.3) for Series One and 926.4 (SD = ± 164.3) for Series Two. Ninety-five percent of participants put the skills they learned during both series into practice. When participants reported experiencing anxiety or depressive symptoms, they most frequently reported experiencing them several days a week. The number of participants reporting no depressive or anxiety symptoms increased as the webinar series progressed over time. The types of concerns and worries reported varied across time.

Conclusion: The Staying Calm and Well During the COVID-19 Pandemic webinar participants had a reduction in symptoms associated with anxiety and depression after completing the series.

Downloads

Published

2021-11-29

How to Cite

Melnyk, B. M., Amaya, M., Pavan Hsieh, A., Momany, R., Winn, J., & Forbes, L. J. (2021). Staying Calm and Well in the Midst of the COVID-19 Storm: One University’s Longitudinal Outcomes Evaluation of a Mental Health and Well-Being Webinar Series. Building Healthy Academic Communities Journal, 5(2), 49–62. https://doi.org/10.18061/bhac.v5i2.8335

Issue

Section

Feature Articles