There’s never been a research effort like this in the history of mental health.
To save more lives, we must take bold and comprehensive steps to understand the root causes of mental illness.
The ultimate goal of SOAR is to close the gap between understanding and treatment.
A first-ever, multi-generational study that will uncover the biological, psychological and social patterns related to mental health. It will give us a playbook for understanding the causes and modifiable risk factors of mental illness, much like we already have for heart disease.
Learn About the StudiesThe world’s best minds solving the mind’s toughest problems
Often the focus for mental health care is on crisis response and substance use disorder treatment, not the root causes of mental health diseases. Now, the talented health care experts dedicated to improving the lives of those with mental health challenges will have the opportunity to explore why mental distress begins in the first place and why some people are able to “bounce back” from adversity when others aren’t. Prevention can be key to reversing the mental health crisis we face.
Global Impact
Ohio isn’t alone in its mental health and substance use challenges. The invaluable information gathered through SOAR will be used to improve mental health care in not only Ohio but nationwide and across the globe. The results could fundamentally change how mental health care is perceived and delivered, with impacts that stretch far beyond Ohio.
We must learn what we don’t know
Despite having some of the best addiction and mental health programs and experts in the country, Ohio (like the rest of the nation) continues to see alarming rates of deaths related to substance use and distress. Ohio loses 19 people each day to suicide and overdose, combined.
There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they’re falling in.
– Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Nobel Peace Prize, 1984
Wellness Survey
A survey assessment of the mental health of 15,000 Ohioans in all 88 counties
Brain Health Study
In-person visits with 1,200 families at rural, suburban, and urban sites across Ohio
Recent Updates
Taking action to build resilience
Sharing stories of how mental health struggles have impacted us and how we’ve been resilient in our lives can help others feel less alone and be a vital first step in understanding the root causes of mental health conditions.
View All Updates
Psychiatry Center of Excellence Fund
We can’t solve the mental health crisis alone. Please, consider donating to help foster innovation and excellence in psychiatry and behavioral health, and continue this mission to find the best ways to prevent, treat and sustain recovery from any mental health challenge.
Make a Secure Donation
Learning from Ohioans
Special thanks to Governor Mike DeWine, the Ohio Legislature and Ohio Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) for providing critical funding to launch the SOAR Studies.
SOAR is led by The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Wexner Medical Center.
SOAR is proud of our establishing collaborators across Ohio.
- Bowling Green State University
- Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals-Cleveland
- Central State University
- Kent State University
- Nationwide Children’s Hospital
- NE Ohio Medical University
- Ohio University
- The Ohio State University
- University of Cincinnati/Cincinnati Children's Hospital
- University of Toledo
- Wright State University
