A program to prevent suicide among American Indian youth using cultural teachings
Official title: The Elders' Resilience Curriculum: Toward Building Empirical Evidence for a Culturally Grounded American Indian Youth Suicide Prevention Intervention
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-10904709 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a special program called the Elders' Resilience Curriculum, designed to help American Indian and Alaska Native kids aged 9-14 by using their own cultural values and teachings to build strength and prevent suicide.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2020 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $215,824 |
| NIH project number | 5K01MH122702-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10904709 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are American Indian and Alaska Native youth aged 9-14 who are part of communities involved in the program.
✕Less likely to help
Patients outside the age range of 9-14 or those not belonging to American Indian or Alaska Native communities may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing and evaluating a culturally grounded suicide prevention program for American Indian and Alaska Native youth aged 9-14. The Elders' Resilience Curriculum (ERC) is delivered by community elders and incorporates local cultural values, beliefs, and language to engage youth in meaningful ways. By emphasizing cultural protective factors rather than solely addressing risks, the program aims to create a supportive environment that fosters resilience among participants. The research will assess the effectiveness of this intervention in preventing suicide and enhancing mental well-being in these communities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce suicide rates among American Indian youth by providing culturally relevant support and resources.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that culturally grounded interventions can be more effective than traditional risk-focused approaches in preventing suicide among American Indian youth.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: O’keefe, Victoria — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: O’keefe, Victoria
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.