RESEARCH | CASE STUDIES| STRATEGIES AND SOLUTIONS

Apply the latest research to strengthen mental wellbeing and prevent stress-related disorders in your communities.

Chief Editor: Nadine Wilches, LCSW

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Multi-Systemic Psychosocial Supports for Pediatric and Young Adult Cancer Survivors: A Literature Review

Long-term survival rates for childhood cancer have increased dramatically over the past few decades, with 5-year relative survival rates now exceeding 85% in high-income countries (Erdmann et al., 2021). While these medical advancements are noteworthy, the intensive nature of treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and prolonged periods of isolation leaves profound emotional and physical marks on young survivors.


Pediatric cancer survivors (PCS) frequently face a complex mix of long-term health challenges after treatment. These issues include body transformations, physical side effects, severe loneliness, and noticeable neurocognitive difficulties, such as problems with memory, concentration, and planning daily tasks (Crochet et al., 2019; Low et al., 2024; O'Donnell et al., 2025). During active pediatric cancer treatment, multidisciplinary teams routinely provide structured psychosocial support to help families manage acute distress (Scialla et al., 2018).


However, as patients transition into remission, scheduled contact with oncology teams decreases, which can leave families with reduced immediate access to ongoing support (Ryan et al., 2021). While basic support is common during active treatment, many pediatric oncology programs lack the specialized mental health staff required to meet recommended long-term standards of care, leaving many survivors with unaddressed psychosocial needs (Lown et al., 2015; Scialla et al., 2018).


To ensure optimal long-term health outcomes, institutions require reliable, scalable programs that connect acute hospital treatments to homelife (Coleman et al., 2006; Naylor et al., 2004). This literature review evaluates the stress and emotional challenges faced by childhood cancer survivors and explores how A Moment of Magic (AMoM) may be able to address these gaps through their scalable, community-led volunteer model. By analyzing current mental health program outcomes, family dynamics, and systemic hospital staffing shortages, this paper investigates how integrating AMoM's framework with the 5-Elements of Systemic Wellbeing Framework assessments, measuring psychological health and stress resiliency, can deliver affordable, preventative care early in the survivorship continuum.

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Evaluating the EQUIP Model for Systemic Workforce Wellbeing in a Remote Psychosocial Care Organization: A Socioecological Case Study of A Moment of Magic

This research informed case study evaluates the implementation of the EQUIP Model, a socioecological framework for applied preventive mental health, within A Moment of Magic (AMoM), a national psychosocial care organization utilizing play, connection, and mental health education to support children navigating medical challenges. The intervention aimed to transition workforce mental wellbeing from a transient, individual-level model to a proactive and integrated organizational strategy by utilizing MindArch Health’s MAP software. Over a 15-month period, the organization evaluated the mental wellbeing of its remote national workforce, identified a target protective factor within the 5-Elements of Systemic Wellbeing Framework, and utilized a collective data-to-action model to implement evidence-based organizational solutions.

The baseline assessment phase occurred during a period of organizational expansion and was characterized by significant workforce instability, resulting in the attrition of 12 team members during early organizational restructuring. Following the integration of the MAP framework and corresponding structural interventions, the organization observed a 50% reduction in subsequent turnover, with only two departures occurring among the specialized program staff post-intervention. Longitudinal data demonstrated an 11% improvement in psychological health within the targeted Valued domain. This study examines the structural mechanics of workforce optimization, demonstrating how systemic interventions function as a core determinant of service quality and institutional sustainability in remote care delivery ecosystems.

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Nadine Wilches, LCSW Nadine Wilches, LCSW

Cultivating Resilience: Identifying Systemic Risk and Protective Factors in the Modern College Student Population

This study evaluates the psychological well-being and stress resilience of Stony Brook University (SBU) students using the 5-Elements of Systemic Wellbeing Framework and EQ phases of the EQUIP Model. The primary objective was to establish a baseline of mental health promotion factors and protective environmental conditions to identify key intervention areas for prevention. A convenience sample of SBU students completed the Psychological Health Survey and the Protective Factors Assessment, which measure the five elements: Secure, Regulated, Valued, Decided, and Related. The findings indicated that students demonstrated relative strengths in Decided (Self-Efficacy) and Related (Interpersonal) domains across both measures. However, the study pinpointed the Regulated (Emotional Control) and Secure (Psychological Safety) domains as the primary areas for intervention, suggesting a need to enhance emotional control and establish more psychologically safe, reliable environments. Data analysis revealed that a previous mental health diagnosis is separate from a person's psychological health and resilience. Further analysis of geographical risk factors revealed short sleep duration, lack of social/emotional support, and lack of leisure-time physical activity as the top modifiable community risks. This research supports the utility of a non-clinical, strength-based framework in providing personalized, evidence-based preventive recommendations that are demographically agnostic and scalable for university populations.

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