This project developed an innovative Transdisciplinary Research, Equity and Engagement Center for Advancing Behavioral Health (TREE Center). It expanded on and leveraged the knowledge, research capacities, and cross-sectoral collaborations established by the former NM CARES Health Disparities Center (P20 MD004811, R. Williams, PI). These strengths were used to specifically target the improvement of behavioral health disparities for socioeconomically disadvantaged and underserved rural populations, with a southwest regional focus on American Indian/Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) and Latinos in New Mexico.

The goal of the project was to highlight the social determinants of behavioral health, including Adverse Childhood Experiences, historical trauma, and the intersectional effects of poverty and discrimination, in order to improve conditions and outcomes related to youth suicide, alcohol and drug misuse, depression, and access to behavioral health services.