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Transforming the understanding
and treatment of mental illnesses.

Celebrating 75 Years! Learn More >>

Director's Message

Director’s Messages

From Lab to Clinic: The Power of Translational Research for Mental Health

By Craig Fisher, Mi Hillefors, Erin King, Sarah Morris, Jenni Pacheco, Chris Sarampote, and Julia Zehr on behalf of the Division of Translational Research on 75th Anniversary

Translational research bridges the gap between basic science and impactful mental health solutions. In this guest-written Director’s Message, the NIMH Division of Translational Research discusses past successes, current projects, and future directions of this critical area of work.

Celebrating NIMH’s 75 Years

By Joshua Gordon on 75th Anniversary

In this Director's Message, Dr. Gordon spotlights NIMH’s 75th Anniversary and opportunities to celebrate and reflect on the impacts of NIMH-supported research throughout the coming year.

Supporting the Mental Health Needs of Hispanic and Latino Youth

By Joshua Gordon on

This Minority Mental Health Month, Dr. Gordon highlights NIMH efforts to understand and support the diverse mental health needs of Hispanic and Latino youth.

Mental Health Equity

By Joshua Gordon on

This Juneteenth, Dr. Gordon reflects on the persistent mental health disparities experienced by Black Americans and what NIMH is doing to try to reach the goal of true mental health equity.

Making an IMPACT on Precision Medicine in Psychiatry

By Joshua Gordon on

In this Director’s message, Dr. Gordon introduces the Individually Measured Phenotypes to Advance Computational Translation in Mental Health (IMPACT-MH) initiative. This new groundbreaking NIMH initiative aims to change the game for precision medicine in psychiatry.

Autism Awareness Month: The Power of Community

By Joshua Gordon on

In recognition of Autism Awareness Month, Dr. Gordon highlights the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee and the power of community in pushing the field forward.

Brain Science for Everyone — Including You

By Joshua Gordon on

This Brain Awareness Week, Dr. Gordon shows that it is not only scientists who can study the brain—you can too, in your backyard, classroom, or even on a hiking trail near a waterfall!

Heart, Brain, and Body

By Joshua Gordon on

In honor of American Heart Month (and Valentine’s Day), Dr. Gordon discusses NIMH’s research activity at the intersection of the heart and the brain.

Looking Back, Moving Forward

By Joshua Gordon on

In this Director’s Message, Dr. Gordon reflects on some exciting NIMH-supported developments from the past year.

Exploring the Role of Somatic Mosaicism in Human Biology

By Joshua Gordon on

In this Director’s message, Dr. Gordon introduces the Somatic Mosaicism across Human Tissues (SMaHT) Network—an NIH-wide initiative that aims to transform our understanding of how somatic mosaicism in human cells influences biology and disease.

Suicide Prevention Research in a Rapidly Changing World

By Joshua Gordon on

In this Director’s message, Dr. Gordon discusses what we have learned about suicide risk and prevention during the COVID-19 pandemic and how NIMH has been building upon these findings to meet the needs of a rapidly changing world.

Addressing HIV-related Intersectional Stigma and Discrimination

By Joshua A. Gordon, M.D., Ph.D., and Maureen M. Goodenow, Ph.D. , Associate Director for AIDS Research and Director, Office of AIDS Research, National Institutes of Health on

In this jointly written Director’s Message, Dr. Gordon and Dr. Goodenow discuss the importance of addressing intersectional stigma in the context of HIV prevention, treatment, and care.

Bringing Innovation to the Search for Biomarkers

By Joshua Gordon on

In this Director’s Message, Dr. Gordon highlights research supported by the NIMH Small Business Innovation Research program that could advance the development of clinically relevant biomarkers.

COVID-19 Risks for People with Serious Mental Illness

By Joshua Gordon on

In this Director’s Message, Dr. Gordon highlights the increased health risks associated with COVID-19 for people with serious mental illness.

Research Along the Autism Spectrum: Diverse Research to Meet Diverse Needs

By Joshua Gordon on

In this message for Autism Awareness Month, Dr. Gordon highlights the importance of a research portfolio that addresses the full spectrum of needs of individuals with autism, across the full lifespan.