The CONNECT Program

About us.

The CONNECT program was created to support adults (55+) find connection and build tools for managing emotions and building community.

Four women standing in a circle, smiling and looking at course materials, in a bright indoor setting.

Initially funded by the Research Manitoba Health Research New Investigator Award (2019-2021; K. Reynolds, PI), this program was co-developed through focus groups with adults ages 55+, mental health professionals and researchers, and community leaders.

The CONNECT Program was designed using patient/public engagement frameworks and best practices in program development and evaluation, drawing on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (Hayes, 2016), self-compassion (Neff, 2023), and leading aging and mental health research.

Now funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, The CONNECT Program is expanding across Canada, and we are evaluating telephone-based and virtual versions of The CONNECT Program offered through Canadian community organizations.

Meet the Team

A woman with blonde hair, black glasses, wearing a cream-colored lacy jacket, standing indoors next to a green plant and a white wall.

Dr. Kristin Reynolds, Ph.D., C. Psych.

I am a Clinical Psychologist and Professor in the Department of Psychology (Clinical Area) at the University of Manitoba. There, I am the Director of the Health Information Exchange Laboratory and Research Affiliate with the Centre on Aging.
My research, clinical work, and teaching are important parts of my life. I am grateful for the opportunities that I have had to learn and grow, and now to continue to learn and to share knowledge with students and with the broader public.
Outside of my work, I value mindful, active, and connective family time.

Dr. Kira Kudar, Ph.D., C. Psych. Cand.

I am a Research Coordinator with the CONNECT Program at the Health Information Exchange Laboratory at the University of Manitoba.
I am passionate about integrating research, project coordination, and clinical practice. My clinical and academic interests include mental health support interventions, mental health in later life, trauma, telehealth, and digital approaches to psychological care.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, exploring new places, and staying curious about the world.

A smiling young woman with long, wavy brown hair sitting next to a green plant, wearing a white shirt and a light-colored jacket.

I am a PhD clinical psychology student working with Dr. Reynolds at the Health Information Exchange Lab.
I am passionate about providing accessible and appropriate mental health supports to older adults, and this has informed both my clinical training and program of research.
When I am not working at my desk, I enjoy reading, knitting and spending time with friends and family.

Georgia Gopinath, M.A.

I am a recent graduate of the University of Manitoba, where I now work as a research assistant in the Health Information Exchange Laboratory.
My current areas of research include community engagement, intervention development, and how intersectionality affects mental health service use, all of which are focused on enhancing the lives of adults aged 55+.
My late grandparents have heavily influenced my desire to conduct aging research. I am thankful to them for allowing me to learn from their wisdom and experiences, putting me on the path I am on now.
Being early in my career, I plan to continue my education to become a clinical psychologist in the future.

Alex Ross, B.A. Hons., Psychology

I am a research assistant working at the Health Information Exchange Lab. My research interests include healthy aging, knowledge translation, and culturally accessible mental health care. In my spare time I enjoy volunteering in the community, engaging in all sorts of arts and crafts, and spending time in the nature.

Alina Sanina, B.Sc.

I am an MA clinical psychology student working with Dr. Reynolds at the Health Information Exchange Lab.
My research interests centre on understanding the complex relationship between cognition, mental health, and aging. I am especially interested in utilizing this knowledge to inform mental health initiatives through both my clinical training and research programs.
Outside of work and academia, I enjoy traveling, playing guitar and piano, and spending time at the lake!

Jessica Loeppky, B. Sc. (Hons.) Psychology

A smiling man with glasses wearing a white shirt, outdoors with a blurred green background.

Dr. Corey Mackenzie, Ph.D., C. Psych.

Corey Mackenzie, Ph.D., C. Psych., is a Clinical Psychologist, Professor in the Department of Psychology, Adjunct Professor in Psychiatry, and Research Affiliate with the Centre on Aging at the University of Manitoba.
Using both primary quantitative and qualitative methods, and secondary analyses of national population surveys, research in his Aging & Mental Health Lab aims to: (a) understand how age affects mental health and (b) enhance older adults’ access to mental health services. Dr. Mackenzie has published 112 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters.
He is a member of the Editorial Board for the journal Aging & Mental Health and has received numerous awards for his research and teaching at the University of Manitoba.
His research laboratory is currently funded by grants from CIHR and SSHRC.

Dr. Nancy Newall is an Associate Professor in the Psychology Department, Faculty of Science, at Brandon University (Brandon, Manitoba). She is a Research Affiliate of the Centre on Aging, University of Manitoba, and a Research Affiliate and founding member of the Centre for the Critical Studies of Rural Mental Health at Brandon University.

Dr. Newall’s research draws on large population-based datasets (e.g., CLSA) to examine the causes and consequences of loneliness and social isolation among older adults. Dr. Newall also works with community organizations to examine how social programs can help older people become less lonely or socially isolated and more socially connected. She is also exploring how age-friendly communities can reduce barriers to social participation.

Dr. Newall co-leads Targeting Isolation (www.targetingisolation.com), an initiative designed to provide research-based information and resources to help address and prevent social isolation and loneliness among older adults. Through Targeting Isolation, Dr. Newall has developed resources (e.g., e-training modules; infographics; videos; pamphlets) for volunteers in community organizations as well as healthcare and social service case finders (e.g., pharmacists, social workers, occupational therapists) to identify and refer socially isolated and/or lonely adults to appropriate programs and services.

Dr. Nancy Newall, Ph.D.

Close-up of a woman with shoulder-length reddish hair, blue eyes, and a slight smile, wearing a dark burgundy top against a background with a light blue wall and brown panel.

I am the Canada Research Chair in Integrated Knowledge Translation in Rehabilitation Sciences, Professor in the Department of Community Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba, Director of the Knowledge Translation platform at the George & Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare Innovation and a research affiliate with the Centre on Aging.
My research focuses on fall prevention in older adults and optimizing balance exercise for this population. By engaging research users throughout the research process, I aim to address critical research-to-practice gaps in rehabilitation and improve the health outcomes for Canadians.

Dr. Kathryn Sibley, Ph.D.

A smiling middle-aged man with dark hair and a beard, dressed in a blue shirt and black blazer, standing indoors in front of large windows with blinds.

I'm a biostatistician who loves working with health scientist who are passionate about their work.
My background includes many years working with big pharma, public health, and academic researchers. I'll be trying to help the project to collect data effectively, analyze it sensibly, and understand what it's trying to tell us.
Outside of work, I'm a member of a dyad that raised four kids, now adult (when did that happen!?) and a fan of reading, pets, table-top role playing games, and trying to stay healthy.

Dr. Robert Balshaw, Ph.D.

A woman with shoulder-length brown hair, smiling, wearing a black and white animal print shirt and a delicate gold necklace, against a mottled gray background.

Dr. Lesley Koven, Ph.D., C. Psych.

I am a clinical psychologist and assistant professor in the Department of Clinical Health Psychology at the University of Manitoba.
I also serve as Geropsychology Lead for Shared Health Manitoba and incoming Program Director for the Clinical Health Psychology residency program.
The focus of my education, clinical work, and research over the last 25 years has revolved around efforts to improve the mental health of older adults. I’m also passionate about training psychology residents and graduate students to deliver high quality, accessible psychological services to this population.
Outside of work, I love spending time outdoors with family, friends, and highly energetic (and adorably mischievous) soft-coated wheaten terrier.

Partner Organizations

A&O: Support Services for Older Adults

A&O offers specialized programs and services accessible to older Manitobans that support and enhance their social, emotional, physical, intellectual and spiritual lives and promote active participation in all aspects of community life.
Brella Community Services Society

Brella Community Services Society has been serving older adults living in Surrey and White Rock, BC, for over 45 years. We provide a variety of in-house and outreach services that focus on helping seniors reduce loneliness and isolation, improve social and recreational engagement, promote emotional and physical well-being, and empower their abilities to maintain independence in the community. Learn more about our activities at: www.brellasociety.ca.
St. Thomas University

St. Thomas University is located in the city of Fredericton, New Brunswick, the province’s capital. It is home to one of two stand-alone gerontology programs in Atlantic Canada. Students gain valuable learning experiences, both in academics, as well as real-world experiences through the experiential learning program, assisting faculty with research projects and participating in STU's Third Age Center. With this support, the St. Thomas University team is thrilled to join this project and contribute with great enthusiasm.
Senior Center Without Walls (SCWW) Moose Jaw

We would like to acknowledge funding from Research Manitoba (K. Reynolds Health Research New Investigator Award, 2019-2021) in allowing us to design, implement, and evaluate The CONNECT Program.

A heartfelt thank you to those who participated in focus groups to develop this program.

Thank you to Patrick Faucher of the George & Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare Innovation for his thoughtful and important knowledge translation support and creative direction.

Thanks also goes out to Nowaday Studio for their help designing and laying out all the information in the workbooks.