Cultures of Recovery: xaʔtus mental health training for Tribal communities

Assessing Cultures of Recovery in Tribal Communities - Research Core

NIH-funded research Healing Lodge of the Seven Nations · NIH-11182705

This project offers a culturally grounded xaʔtus training to help Tribal and non‑Tribal community members support youth and adults during mental health and addiction crises.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionHealing Lodge of the Seven Nations NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Spokane Valley, United States)
Project IDNIH-11182705 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

If I join, I'll be invited to take the xaʔtus training, a culturally grounded program that teaches people how to respond to mental health and addiction crises. The program runs in seven Tribal communities and uses a randomized waitlist so some people start right away and others begin later, with five follow‑up assessments over time. The research team works hand‑in‑hand with Tribal partners to shape the training and make sure it fits local values and needs, and both Tribal and non‑Tribal community members can take part. The study tracks changes in knowledge, confidence, and ability to respond and to connect people to further help when needed.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal participants are Tribal and non‑Tribal adults (age 21+) living in or affiliated with the seven participating Tribal communities who want skills to support people with mental health or addiction challenges.

Not a fit: People seeking direct clinical treatment for their own mental health or addiction needs, or those who do not live in the participating Tribal communities, are unlikely to get direct clinical benefit from this training study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the training could help community members spot crises sooner, respond more effectively, and link people to care earlier.

How similar studies have performed: Community and culturally adapted mental health training programs have shown promise in improving knowledge and responder confidence, but randomized, Tribal‑partnered evaluations like this are less common.

Where this research is happening

Spokane Valley, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.