LIMA, OH — The State of Ohio Adversity and Resilience (SOAR) Study is launching its next phase, now enrolling participants across western Ohio at Mercy Health – St. Rita’s Medical Center. The initiative, spearheaded by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, aims to uncover the root causes behind the rising rates of emotional distress, suicide, and drug overdose in the region.
Drawing inspiration from the landmark Framingham Heart Study, which revolutionized cardiovascular research, the SOAR Study seeks to explore not just mental illness and addiction, but also resilience and mental wellness.
The project is a collaborative effort involving government agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector, with two key components: the Wellness Survey and the Brain Health Study.
The Wellness Survey, which will collect data from 15,000 Ohioans across all 88 counties through an online questionnaire, will assess the overall mental health of residents. Meanwhile, the Brain Health Study will involve in-person visits and MRI brain scans with 1,200 families from rural, suburban, and urban areas of Ohio.
“We are proud to host SOAR at St. Rita’s Medical Center, extending this vital research to the western Ohio community,” said Ronda Lehman, president of Mercy Health – Lima. “By supporting this research, we aim to better understand the underlying causes of addiction and mental health issues. We hope that the findings will not only inform our approach to care but also enhance the health and resilience of communities throughout Ohio and beyond.”
The study is supported by a $20 million initial grant from the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS). The SOAR Mobile MRI unit, based at Mercy Health – St. Rita’s Medical Center at 718 W. Market St. in Lima, is currently enrolling study participants aged 12 and older.
The SOAR Study will investigate a variety of factors—including social, environmental, psychological, trauma-related, genetic, and biological influences—that contribute to, or protect against, the development of mental health challenges, addiction, substance overdose, and suicide.
“SOAR is taking a transformative approach to redesigning the future of mental health care for all Ohioans,” said John J. Warner, CEO of Ohio State Wexner Medical Center and Executive Vice President at Ohio State. “With support from Ohio’s state government and our academic and community partners, we’re able to bring high-impact science directly to the people, ensuring the success of this important initiative.”
By studying multiple generations of families, the SOAR Study aims to identify patterns of risk and resilience, offering insights into how families can break the cycle of mental health struggles, substance abuse, and related deaths.
Led by principal investigator K. Luan Phan from the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, the study is being conducted in collaboration with Ohio public universities, including Northeast Ohio Medical University, and private higher education institutions.
