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Transforming the understanding
and treatment of mental illnesses.

Celebrating 75 Years! Learn More >>

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About NIMH

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is the lead federal agency for research on mental disorders. NIMH is one of the 27 Institutes and Centers that make up the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the largest biomedical research agency in the world. NIH is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Vision

NIMH envisions a world in which mental illnesses are prevented and cured.

Mission

To transform the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses through basic and clinical research, paving the way for prevention, recovery, and cure.       

We fulfill this mission by:

  • Supporting and conducting research on mental illnesses, health services, and the underlying basic science of the brain and behavior
  • Supporting the training of scientists to carry out basic and clinical mental health research
  • Communicating with scientists, patients, providers, and the public about mental health research advances and priorities
Photo of Joshua A. Gordon, M.D., Ph.D.
About the Director
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Advisory Boards and Groups
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Strategic Plan
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Offices and Divisions
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Budget
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Careers at NIMH
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Staff Directories
6001 NSC building
Getting to NIMH