Ohio is stronger when its residents, families and communities are healthy — both physically and mentally. However, far too many Ohioans face mental health challenges that hinder their true potential.
One out of every five Ohioans has a mental health issue that negatively affects their day-to-day functioning. Ohio loses 19 people each day to suicide and overdose. The mission of the SOAR Study is to reverse the trajectory of deaths related to mental health conditions within a decade.
The multiple and ongoing studies produced by SOAR will be multigenerational and help us identify the biological, psychological and social patterns of the root causes of mental health conditions. The invaluable information we’ll take from SOAR will allow us to find ways to protect people from persistent and harmful distress.
To provide The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center and our research partners with an expansive database of facts, we’ve launched SOAR with two interrelated studies that will run concurrently. More studies are forthcoming.
A focus on the breadth of information
We’ll collect information on the social and psychological makeup, real-world experiences and the mental health state of approximately 15,000 people in Ohio’s 88 counties. Questions will be asked on topics including coping styles, childhood adversity, substance use, socioeconomic stressors, positivity, relationship building and suicidal thoughts.
We’re reaching out to random mailing addresses throughout the state to ask families to participate. These households will receive a postcard with instructions on how to fill out the web-based survey. We’re also gathering referrals from mental health providers, community events and local outreach to make sure we receive responses from at-risk, minority or underserved people.
If you’re asked to complete a SOAR Wellness Discovery survey, remember:
A focus on the depth of information
Summary
The SOAR Brain Health Study will collect data about brain function, biological health and social environment through in-person visits with 1,200 volunteer families (3,600 individuals) at rural, suburban and urban sites across Ohio. Family is defined however the family defines it and can include close friends, partners, parents, siblings, grandparents, guardians, and children ages 12-17.
How we’ll perform the study
We’ll deploy leading-edge technologies to SOAR sites throughout the state to better understand the brain, nervous system and immune system and how they relate to mental health. A major innovation of the Brain Health Study is our ability to learn from Ohioans by using specially equipped mobile units where participants can receive imaging, tests to measure brain activity and cognitive function, and other blood and laboratory tests. These mobile units will be stationed at different accessible locations near rural communities, moving every three to four months and covering sites outside our urban hubs in Columbus, Cincinnati, Toledo and Cleveland.
Tips for participating
If your family participates, you can expect: