OHIO researchers join statewide effort to combat mental health, substance use epidemic

A team of researchers from newbb电子平台 is joining a statewide initiative to identify the leading causes of mental health challenges, 自杀, and substance use disorder in Ohio communities.

The research effort is associated with the 促进健康公平研究所 (提前), a multidisciplinary group on campus that promotes social science and health services research to address health disparities in Southeast Ohio.

科里·克罗宁, Ph.D., an associate professor in the College of Health Sciences and Professions and co-director of ADVANCE, said the institute serves as a way for scholars from different backgrounds to collaborate on health research.

“It came out of a recognition that health is such a wide, broad topic,克罗宁说. “People across the university are doing work in it, and we don’t know about each other doing that work.”

“We are purposely aiming to help people meet each other, 加强彼此的工作, 在合适的情况下合作,克罗宁说.

newbb电子平台 is one of several academic institutions contributing to the State of Ohio Adversity and Resilience (高飞), a study focusing on mental health, addiction and resilience. 

除了克罗宁, the team contributing to this study consists of 葆拉·米勒, 著Muniz-Terrera, 珍福尼, 詹妮弗•格兰特, 史蒂文·埃文斯和布莱恩·温姆斯. It is further supported by the broader ADVANCE team, including co-director Berkeley Franz, Ph.D., of the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. 

Directed by The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Wexner Medical Center, 高飞 will study families across generations to understand how they both experience and recover from health challenges over time.

在过去十年中, Ohio has experienced a surge in mental health issues, 药物滥用障碍, 以及相关的健康挑战, 和全国其他州一样.

根据 高飞, the state witnessed a 300 percent increase in overdose deaths since 2010, 5人以上,000 intentional overdose deaths in 2022 alone. 

Additionally, the Ohio Department of Health estimates five Ohioans die by 自杀 each day.

In response to this alarming trend, Ohio. Gov Mike DeWine announced 高飞 in January highlighting the need for a comprehensive shift in the state’s approach toward mental health and substance use disorders. This new research initiative was launched with an initial funding of $20 million from the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

目前, 高飞 is gathering data from thousands of Ohioans across the state through wellness and brain health surveys.

“If we are looking to change some things around health, we need this type of data to know geographically where to invest or by demographic characteristics where to invest,克罗宁说.

“It doesn't mean all those investments pan out into things changing drastically. But without the data, I know we're making guesses where to invest,他补充道.

Cronin said newbb电子平台 will play a crucial role in the study by reaching communities in Southeast Ohio, a distinct region situated within Appalachia.

“I think newbb电子平台 was of particular importance to [高飞] because the southeast corner of the state is geographically not very dense,克罗宁说.

“I think it’s really important that research is coming out of here, 不仅仅是在这个地方,他补充道.

Other researchers with ADVANCE are hoping to challenge misconceptions about Appalachia through research.

葆拉·米勒, Ph.D., an associate professor of sociology in the 文理学院, recently joined ADVANCE to research racially and ethnically marginalized communities in the region.

“在阿巴拉契亚, there's a perception of it being a majority White space, 哪一个不一定是事实,米勒说. 

She said understanding Appalachia’s unique history will be crucial in fostering health equity.

“There's also such a strong history of social organizing in Appalachia, 跨越种族界限,米勒说. “I think looking into that and then thinking about how we can foster that contemporarily is one of the things that could really help with health equity.”

Miller and other researchers at ADVANCE believe fostering community connections in the region is the first step in collecting meaningful and accurate data. 

Through collaborative research and a commitment to health equity, ADVANCE hopes to pave the way for a brighter, 为所有俄亥俄人创造更有弹性的未来.

“The value comes in this being the starting point and us being able to watch both how people’s behaviors and outcomes change over time,克罗宁说. “The piece I’m interested in is how communities and community assets and resources shift over time.”