National Institute of Mental Health National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry

National Institute of Mental Health National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry
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Overview

An overview

National Institute of Mental Health 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.
 We currently have a broad range of research fields of biology, clinical medicine and administrative science for promoting effective policy making in national mental health care. Our institute is composed of 9 departments and 1 center, which is National Information Center for Stress and Disaster Mental Health. Our duty on education of mental health professionals has been continued and intensified to propagate appropriate and the latest information of each field.

Greeting

Greetings from the Director General:

National Institute of Neuroscience continues to innovate at the cutting edge of medical research

National Institute of Neuroscience continues to innovate at the cutting edge of medical research Welcome to the homepage of the National Institute of Mental Health. The National Institute of Mental Health, which originates from the Institute of Mental Health, was established in 1952 to conduct comprehensive research on various mental hygiene issues as set forth in the Mental Hygiene Act (1950), as well as to provide general training in mental hygiene with the aim of improving the disposition of citizens. By 1986, the Institute of Mental Health had integrated with Musashi National Sanatorium and its Center for Psychiatry to form the National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, and the Institute became the National Institute of Mental Health, NCNP. Our goal is to contribute to the improvement and promotion of public health, and we work toward the betterment of mental health in accordance with the government’s health policy by conducting mental health research, surveys, and training as one of the research divisions of the National Center.

Currently, the NCNP comprises 1 center (the National Information Center of Stress and Disaster Mental Health), 9 research divisions While the research divisions go through transitions quite flexibly according to the needs of the age, their mission to “improve mental health” has always remained steadfast. For this reason, their work can be divided largely into the following two aspects: 1) conducting surveys and research to contribute to the improvement of mental health, and 2) providing and implementing recommendations for health policy in order to apply the results of their endeavors. Regardless of how excellent a particular survey or research study is, their significance is lost if the results are not shared for the common good. Societal implementation, which ties research with social living, is an important mission of ours. Thus, in addition to conducting training to disseminate accurate information to citizens and reducing disparities, our research divisions also investigate the form of regional healthcare systems needed to improve mental health throughout the country. We closely collaborate with local governments and various stakeholders such as health-related organizations to effect these improvements. When considering our country’s mental health state, it is useful to implement the positive aspects of similar measures from overseas, while being mindful to maintain our country’s characteristics. Conversely, there is a need to contribute to global mental health by proactively disseminating Japan’s successes. To this end, we are also committed to revitalizing international exchanges.

Japan has long been referred to as a “stress society.” We recognize the importance of preventing mental disorders before onset, and consider it necessary to become involved in stress management in various social environments, such as work and school environments. We are also committed to addressing various issues with a public health perspective, without placing sole focus on mental disorders. Rather than unilaterally disseminating information, we hope to receive thoughts from many of you, and continue to contribute to the improvement of mental health.

Director General Yoshiharu Kim

Departments

Director General

Yoshiharu Kim

Dept.
Department of Public Mental Health Research
Department of Drug Dependence Research
Department of Behavioral Medicine
Department of Preventive Intervention for Psychiatric Disorders
Department of Neuropsychopharmacology
Department of Pathology of Mental Diseases
Department of Sleep-Wake Disorders
Department of Developmental Disorders
Department of Community Mental Health and Law
National Information Center of Stress and Disaster Mental Health