Melissa Richardson
Research Assistant
Melissa is a research assistant for the Family Matters Research Group based at Queen’s University. She is currently completing an MSc in Rehabilitation Science at Queen’s University under Dr. Heidi Cramm. Throughout completing a Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences, Melissa primarily focused on mental health research from a variety of different perspectives. She is a passionate believer in and advocate for accessible and equitable mental health care. Based on this passion, Melissa wishes to improve mental health care support available for family members of military and public safety personnel through her research and participation on this project.
Bailey Alan Hammer
Research Assistant
Bailey Alan Hammer is a research assistant with the Child Trauma Research Centre at the University of Regina, working in cooperation with CIPSRT. Since beginning his studies, he has also maintained working for a plethora of agencies/institutions within his community that work towards the betterment of life outcomes for children, youth, and their families. He continues to do this through his work on CIPSRT’s PHAC Families Project. In December 2022, Bailey is set to graduate from the University of Regina with his Diploma in Business Administration & Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, before starting a career within Canada’s public safety sector.
Tina is completing a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Therapy at Queen’s University under Dr. Heidi Cramm and is a research assistant with the Families Matter Research Group. Tina earned a Bachelor of Science with a major in psychology, and a Bachelor of Social Work. Tina has experience as a social worker with people experiencing physical and mental health issues, including Canadian Armed Forces Veterans and Public Safety Personnel (PSP). Tina is passionate about conducting research to improve the wellbeing of PSP and their family members as she served 12 years in the Canadian Armed Forces Reserve as a Medical Assistant, and she is part of a PSP family.
Lauren completed her Bachelor of Arts (Honours) at Queen’s University in the spring of 2022, with a major in Psychology and a minor in Health Studies. In working as a Research Assistant with Dr. Heidi Cramm in the summer of 2021, she gained a deeper understanding of the importance of supporting the wellbeing of families, particularly those who support individuals in public safety, military, or Veteran roles. She is excited to be continuing her work as a Research Assistant with Dr. Cramm as part of the Families Matter Research Group.
Rachel is a research assistant with the Families Matter Research Group and a doctoral candidate in rehabilitation science from Queen’s University. She comes from a community health background and a family of military members and a volunteer firefighter. Her doctoral research focuses on understanding the needs of public safety families and working with organizations to ensure that those needs are addressed.
Melissa Scheltgen MSW
Clinical Research Associate
Melissa is a Registered Social Worker with the Alberta College of Social Workers, Ontario College of Social Workers and Saskatchewan Association of Social Workers. Melissa received her Masters of Social Work degree through Memorial University of Newfoundland. She has worked as a Social Worker in Nova Scotia, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta. For over 20 years, Melissa has supported individuals and groups at the municipal, provincial, federal and national level develop and access resources for improved quality of life, understand and address mental health stigma and support individuals to heal from traumas using an empowering, mindful based approach. Melissa has worked in public safety and is a strong ally and advocate for first responders and their families.
Isabelle Dena MSW
Clinical Research Associate
Isabelle Dena is a registered Social Worker through the Saskatchewan Association of Social Workers. Isabelle has a Master of Social Work from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville USA and a certificate in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy from the University of Calgary. She is currently a Clinical Research Associate at the Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment (CIPSRT) at the University of Regina and currently involved in the public safety personnel internet-delivered cognitive behaviour therapy. With over 15 years of experience, Isabelle has been providing mental health services to individuals and their families from diverse backgrounds including racialized minority groups, low-resource communities, and Indigenous communities, working in Saskatchewan, Alberta and the United States of America. Her experience involves engaging in individual and group counselling, parenting education, attachment work, as well as engaging in community based health research work using patient-oriented research approach. Isabelle’s work is guided by using lenses of trauma-informed, cultural humility and social justice.
Dr. Linna Tam-Seto
Assistant Professor
Dr. Linna Tam-Seto is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University. Linna currently leads the Military Health and Wellbeing Research Group in the Trauma and Recovery Research Unit and is a Research Scientist with the Families Matter Research Group. She holds a PhD in Rehabilitation Science and is a registered occupational therapist with experience working in child, adolescent, and family mental health and supporting evidence-based professional practice. Linna’s research interests include understanding the health and well-being of Canada’s military members, veterans, public safety personnel, and their families with a focus on life transitions and changes.