Faculty Profile

BIO

Lisa Wexler is a Research Professor in the Center for Research on Group Dynamics in the Institute of Social Research Professor and a Professor of Social Work at the University of Michigan. Starting in Alaska Native communities about 30 years ago, Dr. Wexler’s participatory research program is animated by both research-based and local knowledge, collaboration, and reciprocal relationships. Her research develops and offers communities, families and individuals’ tools to address (or prevent) suicide and at- risk substance use, and promote mental health and youth resilience.  Overarching themes in Wexler’s work include a focus on strengths with family, schools and community assets as potential resources from which to build prevention efforts; practical interventions that are feasible for under-resourced settings; and efforts to mobilize and leverage social connections to reduce risk of suicide and harmful substance use, promote safety, and support mental wellness in people’s daily lives. Her research has been supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF ARC-0742851 (PI); ARC-0755348 (site PI)), the National Institutes Health (R34MH096884 (PI), R01MH112458 (PI), R01MH136768 (PI), U19MH113138 (MPI), R61MH125757(PI); P20GM103395 and U54GM115371), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC R49-CE-003085 (site PI); R49CE003552-01-00 (site PI)), Kaiser Permanente Gun Violence Prevention Grant (PI), the State of Alaska, and other tribal health organizations, social service nonprofits and school districts. It is her hope to develop behavioral health programs and community education that is oriented toward dignity, pragmatism, and self-determination. In so doing, her work supports community learning, dialogue and action, to create hopeful opportunities for prevention, innovation and respectful interventions for wellness.

Research Foci: Community Education, Participatory Action Research, American Indian/Alaska Native Communiting, Strength-based; Mental Health Promotion; Suicide Prevention; Substance Use