Groundbreaking NIH-Funded Study to Support Native American Youth Mental Health

Contributing to the well-being of Native American communities and setting a precedent for culturally sensitive, evidence-based interventions in the field of mental health

Dr. Huigang Liang, FedEx Chair of Excellence in the Management Information Systems (MIS) Department at the Fogelman College of Business and Economics, plays a pivotal role in a significant research initiative aimed at improving the mental, emotional, and behavioral health of Native American youth. This ambitious project, titled "Talking Circle for Native American Youth Living Well (A Yo Li)," has been awarded a substantial grant by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under the UG3 funding mechanism.

The first year of the project is supported by pilot funding of $764,535, with expectations of continued support over the following four years, maintaining a similar annual budget. The primary investigator (PI) leading this initiative is Dr. John Lowe from the University of Texas at Austin. Liang is the PI of a subaward of this grant, bringing his extensive expertise in research design and data analytics to the forefront of this critical project.

The "Talking Circle for Native American Youth Living Well (A Yo Li)" study addresses the urgent need for effective interventions to combat the high rates of mental health disorders among Native American youth, including anxiety, stress, depression, substance use, and an alarming incidence of suicide. These challenges have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has not only posed a direct health risk but has also deeply affected the cultural and social fabric of Native American communities through the loss of Tribal Elders and the strain on cultural continuity.

Utilizing a Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) approach, the project will collaborate closely with the United Keetoowah Band (UKB) of Cherokee Tribe in Oklahoma. The initiative aims to evaluate the efficacy of the Talking Circle Intervention, a culturally adapted, school-based program designed to support the mental health of Native American youth in both rural and urban settings. This intervention will be implemented as an after-school program, providing a supportive environment for youth to express themselves and find community support.

Liang's role in this project underscores the University of Memphis's commitment to leveraging technology and research in addressing societal challenges. By applying sophisticated data analytics and research methodologies, Liang and the team aim to provide empirical evidence on the effectiveness of the Talking Circle Intervention, potentially offering a scalable solution to improve the lives of Native American youth across the country.

This study not only represents an important step forward in mental health research but also demonstrates the power of collaborative, interdisciplinary efforts in creating meaningful change. The University of Memphis, along with its partners at the University of Texas at Austin and the UKB of Cherokee Tribe, looks forward to contributing to the well-being of Native American communities and setting a precedent for culturally sensitive, evidence-based interventions in the field of mental health.

For more information on this study, contact Liang at hliang1@memphis.edu.