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.
NIMH’s commemorative booklet, charts a timeline of events, research programs, and initiatives.
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.
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
Reddit “Ask Me Anything” with NIMH Director, Dr. Joshua A. Gordon and Deputy Director, Dr. Shelli Avenevoli
NIMH's Director and Deputy Director will answer questions about NIMH’s research priorities, progress made, and challenges ahead in the coming years.
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NIMH Director’s Innovation Series featuring Daniel Dawes, J.D.
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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.
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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.
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. Filling 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.
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.