The Massachusetts Association for Mental Health is pleased to be a National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Outreach Partner. We disseminate science-based behavioral health information and are eager to grow partnerships that advance the health of individuals and families throughout our Commonwealth.

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Children & Families

  • The Netflix show “13 Reasons Why” was associated with a 28.9 percent increase in suicide rates among youth ages 10 to 17 in the US in the month (April 2017) following the show's release, after accounting for ongoing trends in suicide rates, according to a NIMH-funded study conducted by researchers at NIMH, and several universities and hospitals.

  • Suicide is the second leading cause of death for youths aged 15 to 24, yet only about half of young adults with a mental disorder receive treatment. In an effort to address this disparity and further conversations about mental health among high schoolers, the NIH invites students ages 16 to 18 years old to participate in the “Speaking Up About Mental Health!” essay contest.

  • This NIMH brochure, which replaces a publication series on the same topic, describes common reactions to trauma and what parents, rescue workers, and the community can do to help children and adolescents cope with disasters and other traumatic events.

  • The CDC Healthy Schools program has developed the Body and Mind website for kids ages 9-12, their parents, and teachers, which features fun and engaging information on health topics such as managing stress, including an original comic series.

  • In April, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted permission to NeuroSigma to market the first medical device to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The prescription-only device, called the Monarch external Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation (eTNS) System, is indicated for patients ages 7 to 12 years old who are not currently taking prescription ADHD medication and is the first non-drug treatment for ADHD granted marketing authorization by the FDA.
Suicide Prevention
  • The U.S. may lack the resources needed to meet increases in demand for suicide prevention services that occur after celebrity suicides, according to a recent study of crisis mental health services, including suicide prevention hotlines.

  • The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently partnered with the nonprofit Objective Zero Foundation to aid in connecting Veterans with suicide prevention support and resources.

  • The VA has released From Science to Practice, a series of literature reviews designed to help clinicians put suicide prevention research into practice. It includes reviews on loneliness, premilitary risk factors, and military sexual trauma.
Spanish Language Materials
  • The latest version of the NIMH Schizophrenia brochure has been translated to Spanish and is available online. The brochure explains what schizophrenia is, when it starts, and how to get help.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Research
  • In observance of Autism Awareness Month, NIMH Director Dr. Joshua Gordon reflects on what the state of autism research and knowledge was approximately 20 years ago, how that has changed, and what we hope to know 20 years from now.

  • In this podcast, NIMH Director Dr. Joshua Gordon interviews Dr. Ann Wagner, National Autism Coordinator, and Dr. Lisa Gilotty, chief of NIMH’s Research Program on Autism Spectrum Disorders, about autism research advances.
Clinical Research
  • NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins introduces a 3D movie of a fruit fly larva that offers never-before-seen details into proprioception—the brain’s sixth sense of knowing the body’s location relative to nearby objects. The new high-speed technology that made this live-action video possible was supported by the NIH’s BRAIN® Initiative, which seeks to capture the brain in action.

  • In this NIH All of Us Research Program video, Dr. Dara Richardson-Heron, the All of Us Chief Engagement Officer, talks to community representatives about why people of different backgrounds should take part in health research.
Adult Mental Health
  • CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion has released the Workplace Health in America 2017 report, which summarizes findings from a study of a nationally representative group of worksites (N=2,843) of all sizes, industries, and locations to learn the state of U.S. workplace health promotion programs. The study included questions to assess the percentage of worksites that have stress reduction programs, and provide depression screening and depression disease management and training to prevent bullying and violence in the workplace.

  • This SAMHSA report provides background and practical information to those interested in promoting the use of psychiatric advance directives as a tool for promoting self-directed care in psychiatric treatment, making progress toward parity in mental health treatment, and supporting crisis planning and the rights of persons who live with mental illness.

  • The April 2019 issue of the Clinician's Trauma Update-Online from the VA’s National Center for PTSD provides brief updates on the latest clinically relevant research on PTSD, with an emphasis on treatment and assessment.
Funding Opportunities
Upcoming Events
  • May 20, 1:00-3:30: SAMHSA, the Administration for Community Living, and the National Coalition on Mental Health and Aging are hosting an event in observance of Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day 2019. Nearly 1 in 5 older Americans have one or more mental health/substance use conditions and older adults accounted for 18.2 percent of suicide deaths in 2016. This event is designed to raise public awareness around the mental health of older Americans and spur actions to address their needs by promoting evidence-based approaches to mental health and substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery supports for older adults and collaboration between the mental health and aging networks. It will also highlight where people can seek treatment and services when needed. A live webcast of the event will be available. 
Clinical Trial Participation
  • Schizophrenia Clinical Trial Recruitment: NIMH invites qualifying adults who have been diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder to participate in an inpatient research study at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, MD. In this study, researchers will be evaluating how the brain works in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia to better understand the underlying causes of this illness.
  • This study is usually 6 months long and generally has 3 phases: The first phase involves a thorough evaluation of diagnosis, medications, and treatment. The second phase includes evaluations during periods on and off standard medications, with each period ranging from 4 to 6 weeks. The third phase focuses on stabilization, treatment, and discharge planning.
  • Evaluations include a variety of medical, cognitive, neurological, and neurocognitive assessments. Advanced neuroimaging techniques (e.g., MRI, MEG, and PET) are used along with specialized cognitive tests.

  • Depression and Brain Function: This inpatient and/or outpatient depression research study tests the effects of the combination of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and psychotherapy on brain function. Individuals ages 18-65 with major depressive disorder and who are free of other serious medical conditions are invited to apply. Individuals who are currently taking antidepressants may still be eligible.
  • Participation is for 8 weeks followed by 3 once-a-month follow-up visits or phone calls, and includes research evaluations, brain scans, and active TMS and psychotherapy, or inactive TMS and psychotherapy.  
  • Interested individuals can call 1-877-MIND-NIH, (1-877-646-3644), TTY: 1-877-411-1010, or email moodresearch@mail.nih.gov for more information.
We look forward to continuing to work together for change!