Talking Circle program to support Native American youth mental health
Official title: Talking Circle for Native American Youth Living Well (A Yo Li)
Funded at University of Texas at Austin · NIH-11417262 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A school-based Talking Circle program is being studied to help Native American youth ages roughly 10–15 improve mood, reduce stress, and curb substance use.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas at Austin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project start | August 17, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,024,213 |
| NIH project number | 5UH3AT012547-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11417262 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are Native American youths around ages 10–15 who are enrolled in participating schools and whose communities support the Talking Circle approach.
✕Less likely to help
Some youths may not respond to the intervention or may prefer other supportive approaches.
What this research studies
This NIH UH3 grant tests a culturally grounded Talking Circle intervention in diverse Native American communities to promote mental, emotional, and behavioral health among youth. The plan uses school settings to deliver circle sessions that encourage expression, cultural connection, and coping skills. The study aims to adapt and implement the program across rural and urban sites, with measurement of well-being, distress, and risky behaviors over time. Community partnerships and safeguards are emphasized to respect tribal perspectives and youth safety.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could offer a scalable, culturally respectful approach to improving mental health and reducing risk behaviors among Native American youths.
How similar studies have gone: Previous school-based Talking Circle work has shown promise in improving well-being and reducing distress in youth, though results vary by community and setting.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lowe, John R., Rn, Phd, Faan — University of Texas at Austin
- Study coordinator: Lowe, John R., Rn, Phd, Faan
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.