Wright State University will hold the State of Ohio Adversity and Resilience (SOAR) Community and Research Summit on September 28, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Atlantis Room of the Student Union. The event aims to enhance mental health research representation for often overlooked populations in Ohio, including those with neurodevelopmental disabilities, individuals experiencing homelessness, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

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Organized by the Boonshoft School of Medicine, the summit will gather researchers, clinicians, community organizers, patients, and families to discuss the theme "Beyond the Usual Sample: Centering Overlooked Populations in Ohio Adversity and Resilience Research." This underscores the initiative to broaden participation in mental health research and align research with the diverse needs of Ohio communities.

Dr. Larrilyn Grant, assistant professor of psychiatry at Boonshoft, emphasizes the importance of involving underserved communities in the research process. She stated, "It is not enough to study underserved communities — we need to build research with them."

The statewide SOAR study, originally backed by a $20 million grant, investigates why some individuals face mental health difficulties while others show resilience. The initiative, led by Ohio State University’s College of Medicine and Wexner Medical Center, includes collaboration with 16 universities and healthcare systems across Ohio, including Wright State.

Previous surveys have reached approximately 15,000 Ohioans, while the SOAR Brain Health Study has involved around 1,600 families. Currently, follow-up assessments are being conducted to monitor changes in risk and resilience over time.

Since joining the SOAR initiative in 2024, Wright State’s Boonshoft School of Medicine has been enhancing its research and community engagement capabilities. The university aims to link researchers with SOAR data, formulate new research questions, and support community organizations.

Dr. Grant highlighted Wright State’s established relationships with local organizations and healthcare systems as vital in connecting academic research with community needs. Hosting the summit allows the Miami Valley region to influence future study directions by determining research priorities and enhancing community involvement.

For more information about the SOAR study, visit soarstudies.org.