National Institute of
Mental Health currently has a broad range of research fields from biology, to clinical
medicine and to administrative science for promoting effective policy making in national
mental health care. It is composed of 11 departments and Center for Suicide Prevention. The duty on
education of
mental health professionals has been continued and intensified to propagate appropriate and the latest information of each field.
The institute was established in 1952 to improve
mental health of general population through comprehensive and integrative research in psychiatry, psychology, sociology, social welfare and
community health service, as well as the
education of
mental health professionals. In October 1986, it was merged into National Center of
Neurology and
Psychiatry so as to make more effective contribution to the public mental health.
There are several departments in the institute in which the Department of
Mental Health Policy and Evaluation was established in October 1986 to engage in research for
mental health policies. The role of this department is three-fold; 1) observing and assessing the present state of
mental health and welfare and the effectiveness of related policies (monitoring research), 2) providing research methods and conducting collaborative empirical studies related to clinical
psychiatry with those in the field (clinical epidemiological research), and 3) collecting and analyzing information with the aim to formulate solutions for key issues in
mental health and welfare practices (policy studies). The Department of Neuropsychopharmacology carries out research into problems concerning the various mental disorders in the rapidly
aging society of Japan. Especially, depression, adjustment disorders and suicide are focused in the department.
Last Updated on: Nov 26, 2024