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Transforming the understanding
and treatment of mental illnesses.

Celebrating 75 Years of Research, Discovery, and Hope

For 75 years, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has transformed the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses through basic and clinical research—bringing hope to millions of people. As we commemorate our 75th Anniversary, we invite you to participate in this yearlong celebration.

Join us for special events and explore the videos, podcasts, and feature stories that highlight NIMH's research and its impact on mental health.

Stay informed about NIMH's 75th Anniversary by subscribing to our email updates and following us on social media. Together, we can continue to make strides in improving mental health for all.

National Institute of Mental Health. Celebrating 75 years transforming the understanding and treatment of a mental illness.

NIMH’s commemorative booklet, charts a timeline of events, research programs, and initiatives.

Download the Booklet

Celebrating NIMH’s 75 Years

Our 75th Anniversary is more than an opportunity for celebration. It also invites us to reflect, gain perspective, and acknowledge ongoing challenges so that we’re prepared to navigate the road ahead.

Dr. Joshua Gordon

In 1946, President Harry S. Truman signed the National Mental Health Act. In addition to its broad purpose of improving "the mental health of the people of the United States," this landmark piece of legislation enabled the founding, three years later, of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). NIMH’s founding represented hope—hope for better understanding and better treatments for people with mental illnesses.

Read more of Dr. Gordon’s reflections about the impact of NIMH.

75th Anniversary Events

Amplifying Voices and Building Bridges: Toward a More Inclusive Future

The symposium will bring together people living with mental illness, clinicians, and communities to reflect on past and present challenges in mental health research and chart a more inclusive path forward.

Date and Time

March 18, 2024
8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. ET

Location

Virtual and in person at the National Archives Building (701 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C.)

Past Events

Director’s Innovation Speaker Series: Changing Minds & Advancing Lines: Why We Must Keep Pushing for Mental Health Equity

During this lecture, Daniel E. Dawes, J.D. , explored the crucial link between mental health and systemic health through the lens of equity and discuss how we can learn from and repair past issues to achieve mental health equity moving forward. A full recording of the event will be available soon.

The Evolution of Mental Health Research

The Evolution of Mental Health Research symposium on September 13, 2023 kicked off NIMH’s year-long 75th anniversary celebration. The symposium brought together leading experts in the field to explore cutting-edge discoveries, novel approaches, and the transformative impact of NIMH initiatives over the past 75 years. Watch a full recording of the event  on the NIH VideoCast webpage.

 

Two researchers sitting at a laboratory bench working with material in a petri dish.

NIMH Scientific Discoveries Over the Past 75 Years

Over the last 75 years, NIMH-funded research has advanced our knowledge of mental health and improved the lives of people affected by mental illnesses. These feature stories provide an in-depth look at a selection of scientific advancements in mental health, including research on the brain and behavior, mental illness, and the development of new treatments.

Learn more about scientific discoveries made possible through research conducted at and supported by NIMH.

Mental Health Matters podcast. Now streaming.

NIMH Mental Health Matters Podcast

Hosted by NIMH Director Dr. Joshua A. Gordon, the NIMH 75th Anniversary Mental Health Matters podcast series explores the stories behind influencers and innovators in mental health research and takes you into the lives of people living with mental illnesses.

Listen to the stories behind some of NIMH’s most impactful discoveries.

I am NIMH

NIMH is the lead federal agency for research on mental disorders. We are part of the National Institutes of Health, the largest biomedical research agency in the world. Our vision is to live in a world where mental illnesses are prevented and cured. Fulfilling this vision takes an entire community of people working to transform the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses.

Learn more about the people supporting NIMH’s vision and what they love about working here.

National Institute  of Mental Health  75 Years  Research.  Discovery.  Hope.  Points to nimh.nih.gov/75years

Digital Toolkit

The digital toolkit is a collection of social media messages, graphics, newsletters posts, and other resources to help you spread the word about NIMH’s history and mental health research advances over the past 75 years.

Explore our digital toolkit and help spread the word.