Sharing Research to Maximize Real-World Impact: 2025-26 Mobilize Call 1 Results

This project builds on long-standing research partnerships between the University of Saskatchewan and the Métis community of Île-à-la-Crosse. Previous studies identified key factors supporting intergenerational health and wellbeing among Métis peoples, but COVID-19 disruptions delayed the sharing of these findings. In response, this community-led initiative will use arts-based knowledge mobilization to reconnect Métis community members with research on aging well in place. Métis artists, Elders, and youth will co-create culturally grounded outputs—such as music, dance, stories, and visual art—through collaboration gatherings, creative workshops, and a community celebration.

These activities will be guided by Métis values, language, and data governance principles. This project will enhance the accessibility and relevance of research findings, support Métis cultural continuity, and inform future health programs and policies. It aligns with SHRF’s priorities by fostering community-driven health research, strengthening Indigenous research capacity, and promoting wellness across generations through meaningful, culturally resonant knowledge sharing.

School food programs have long played a vital role in supporting student health and academic success and have come into the spotlight recently with the creation of a National School Food Policy and the announcement of government funding over the next five years. Though funding exists, it is still not enough to support these programs and those who work in them.

The main objective of this event is to bring together school cooks, community coordinators, and stakeholders from Saskatoon and surrounding communities for an engaging day of professional development and meaningful connection. The event will explore topics such as kitchen safety, sustainability, Indigenous foodways, food literacy, and school food research, fostering knowledge-sharing and inspiration for nourishing school communities. Ideally, this event will act as a catalyst to foster a network of support for nutrition workers and empower nutrition workers to improve their programs, resulting in more nutritious and/or culturally appropriate meals and snacks for their students.

This project is led by Seniors Centre Without Walls with a goal to help older adults remain in their own homes for as long as possible. Guided by seniors and caregivers, we are creating two booklets that offer real-world, Saskatchewan-specific advice. The first, The Best Practices Book, will help family caregivers and non-medical support workers with day-to-day care and safety at home. The second, The Appointment Companion, will help seniors and their supporters manage healthcare visits and follow-up instructions after returning home from hospital and other support questions. Through telephone and in-person conversations with seniors, caregivers, long-term care residents and health system partners, we will gather the lived experience and practical gaps that research has already identified.

By combining evidence and experience, our project turns existing Saskatchewan research into usable tools for rural, isolated, and low-income older adults—ensuring they are supported to age in place, with dignity, respect and compassion.

Post COVID-19 Condition affects an estimated 3.5 million Canadians, with symptoms including brain fog, shortness of breath, and chronic pain. Despite high need, 66% of those seeking care reported receiving no treatment, with limited awareness and a lack of evidence-based approaches cited as major barriers. Saskatchewan learning needs assessments confirmed similar gaps.

In 2025, national Post Covid-19 Condition guidelines and evidence-based webinars were developed with advisory groups, including our team members. We created evidence-based resources for healthcare providers and patients, including quick reference guides and infographics translated into 10 languages for diverse Saskatchewan communities.

This project will bridge the research-to-practice gap to improve Post Covid-19 Condition awareness, diagnosis, and treatment by engaging clinics and community organizations with interactive outreach visits, and direct mailing resources. These activities will directly address identified knowledge gaps and enhance patient care outcomes.

Saskatoon community services have responded to an unprecedented number of overdose calls since the start of 2025. The use of naloxone within minutes of an overdose is imperative to reduce lasting health impacts and mortality rates. Community members have expressed a desire for evidence-based knowledge and the tools to respond effectively to opioid overdose. The objective of this project is to provide information about the crisis in Saskatoon, increase the number of naloxone trainers, and dispense naloxone kits to a wider number of people.

The Naloxone Education EXchange and Utilization Support (NEXUS) project will work with community associations and agencies to provide at least 10 training sessions, sharing research evidence and equipping community with naloxone to dispel myths and reduce stigma associated with substance use. Additionally, NEXUS will provide a train-the-trainer workshop in partnership with Prairie Harm Reduction to equip an additional 20 naloxone trainers in the city.

The Farmer and Rancher Mental Health (FARMh) Initiative was created to identify a farm-culture friendly mental health support system for Saskatchewan farmers and ranchers. FARMh Phase 1.0 explored the mental health perspectives of Saskatchewan farmers and ranchers, the barriers they face in accessing care, and their recommendations for culturally relevant services. As a result, SaskAgMatters Mental Health Network is a support network created by the FARMh Initiative research team to offer free mental health support services for Saskatchewan agriculture producers, their family members and to agricultural workers grounded in the principle of “farmers helping farmers.”

Despite increasing awareness, many producers remain unaware of culturally relevant supports like SaskAgMatters or continue to face stigma around help-seeking. Canadian Western Agribition offers a high-traffic, trusted venue to connect with this community in a familiar setting, share evidence-based strategies, and co-design FARMh 2.0 alongside producers and stakeholders. This work is essential to closing the knowledge-to-practice gap and ensuring that rural mental health supports are not only available but visible, trusted, and shaped by those they are meant to serve.

Primary Health Care transformation is of high priority for health systems across Saskatchewan and Canada. One key strategy to improving access to everyday care is to enhance team based care within a family doctors' or nurse practitioners' office, tailoring services to meet the needs of patients and communities. Yet, building and strengthening team based care towards the nationally accepted Patients' Medical Home model is not easy. Intentional application of evidence informed strategies to mobilize, spread and scale what works in Saskatchewan to advance team based care is needed.

This project builds on previous successes in mobilizing Saskatchewan leaders, including physicians and patient family partners to connect with each other, to share what's working and, discover ideas worth testing. Additionally, this project creates ongoing forums to support teams in moving their ideas to action and helps amplify ongoing investments to improve primary health care.