Child and Adolescent Research at the National Institute of Mental Health

• In Event: Federal Agency Poster Session

Abstract

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is one of 27 Institutes and Centers within the National Institutes of Health (NIH). As the lead federal agency for research on mental disorders, NIMH envisions a world in which mental illnesses are prevented and cured and has a mission to transform the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses through basic and clinical research, paving the way for prevention, recovery, and cure. The NIMH strategic plan provides a 5-year roadmap for the institute’s priorities, organized around four strategic goals: (1) Define the Brain Mechanisms Underlying Complex Behaviors; (2) Examine Mental Illness Trajectories Across the Lifespan; (3) Strive for Prevention and Cures; and (4) Strengthen the Public Health Impact of NIMH-Supported Research. Progress is tracked annually, and the plan is updated, as needed, in response to research advances and new challenges and opportunities—for example, mental health research related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The NIMH research domain criteria (RDoC) framework and experimental therapeutics approach are integrated within the strategic plan. Ongoing high priority areas include but are not limited to research on mental health disparities, suicide prevention and autism spectrum disorder.
This poster will provide information on priorities and funding opportunities for child and adolescent research at the NIMH. For example, the NIMH Strategic Plan notes the need to identify the biological mechanisms involved in typical and atypical neurodevelopmental trajectories, establish safety and efficacy of therapeutic interventions developed for adult populations in children, and develop and test innovative strategies to promote early identification and engagement in prevention and mental health services for children and adolescents. In addition, visitors to the poster will learn about research support across career stages, and about opportunities for diversifying the research workforce. Information on research resources, such as the NIMH Data Archive (NDA), will be provided. The NDA provides access to human subjects data collected from hundreds of research projects across many scientific domains that can be used for secondary analysis. Also, NIMH sponsors scientific meetings and workshops to understand research progress as well as gaps. Information on upcoming and recently held events focused on children and adolescents will be highlighted. Where possible, the poster will contain QR codes so that attendees can access additional details on priorities, opportunities, and resources during their visit. Program staff will be available during the federal agency poster session to answer questions.

Authors

• Belinda E Sims, National Institute of Mental Health
  Presenting Author

• Anita Bechtholt, National Institute of Mental Health

• Ashley R Smith, National Institute of Mental Health

• Maggie Sweeney, National Institute of Mental Health