States of Emergency: Exploring Relations of Care & Solidarity in Volunteer-Driven Crisis Response Systems
What are the public mental health benefits of a well-resourced crisis response system?
How does austerity or poor resourcing of rural crisis response networks impact first responder mental health and wellbeing?
In 2024, the SSHRC Insight Grants Program committed support for a 5-year research project on the relationship between care, solidarity, mutual aid and austerity on civilian first responder mental health in the pan-Atlantic region. We are working with civilian first responders across the Atlantic coast (from Cape Breton to the southern tip of the Delmarva Peninsula in the United States). We are exploring the impact of the climate crisis and other urgent socio-political crises on civilian first responders. Results from this project are forthcoming, but you can read more about it here. This project will result in a traveling multimedia exhibition, featuring stories of civilian first responders doing lifesaving work & mutual aid along the Atlantic coast.
Visualizing Care: Creative Placemaking and Visions of Care in Tantramar
The Visualizing Care project brings together the Rural Health Advocacy Group (RHAG) of Tantramar Region, Dr. Katherine Dunbar Winsor, artist Chris Down and students in sociology, health studies and fine arts. The team is collecting data on care gaps in the region and transforming it into a ‘placemaking mural’ in the local clinic and a report for stakeholders. Some results from this project will be presented at the Canadian Sociological Association Annual Conference in June 2026.
