She wasn’t fighting crime, but instead, she was raising money for the department of clinical health psychology’s new endowed professorship in child psychology.

Dr. Jo Ann Unger (wearing a purple cape) rappelled down the side of HSC Children’s Hospital five times. (Photo courtesy of The Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba)

Unger, an assistant professor of clinical health psychology at the Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, took part in The Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba’s Suspended Superheroes event on Oct. 3.

Dressed as Bat Girl, she rappelled down the side of HSC Children’s Hospital five times. Joined by soldiers, firefighters, police officers and other costumed participants, Unger got over her dislike for heights and rappelled the six storeys from the roof.

At each floor, she waved to children gathered at the windows to get a glimpse of their favourite superheroes. Unger played rock, paper, scissors with one child, and some kids took selfies with her through the glass.

Dr. Jo Ann Unger dressed as Bat Girl for the Suspended Superheroes event.

“It was super fun. Oh my gosh, I kept standing with my hands on my hips. It’s like, this is my new pose,” said Unger, who is also the specialty lead and section head, child and adolescent service clinical health psychology, Shared Health.

 “I thought, ‘Well, what a great way to launch our fundraising efforts to have the lead of the child and adolescent clinical psychology service rappel down a building.’”

Dr. Lesley Graff, professor and head of clinical health psychology, Max Rady College of Medicine, said the professorship will protect up to 50 per cent of a faculty member’s time for research, which complements their clinical time, and moves forward innovation in clinical care. This would double or triple the time that professors in the department might otherwise be able to direct to their research.

“Manitoba has one of the lowest per capita rates of psychologists in the country, and we have some of the greatest needs for mental health support, particularly for children,” said Unger, also a researcher with The Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba.

“So, we really need more child psychologists. This is one way the department of clinical health psychology is supporting the effort to attract and train more child psychologists in Manitoba.”

Dr. Jo Ann Unger about to rappel down the side of HSC Children’s Hospital. (Photo courtesy of The Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba)

Graff said that Unger’s leadership to raise awareness for children’s mental health in this creative way literally took her commitment to a new level.

“Investing in clinical research to improve care for children is investing in a better future for all of us. Our department is grateful for every dollar of support as we work toward the $1.5 million goal to establish this professorship,” Graff said.

While Unger got a taste of life as Bat Girl, she said that not all superheroes wear capes.

“Child psychologists and mental health professionals who work with kids really are heroes in the sense that they are working with families to help children find a healthier path, improve their quality of life and help them engage more with their friends and family,” Unger said.

Donate today on Unger’s Suspended Superheroes page by the end of October. To give to the campaign for a new professorship in child psychology after that, please contact Priyanka Singh, senior director, major gifts, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, at priyanka.singh@umanitoba.ca or 431-323-8247.