The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) was established in 1952 to improve mental health of the 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, the NIMH was merged into National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP) so as to make more effective contributions to public mental health.

The NIMH currently has a broad range of research fields from biology, to clinical medicine and administrative science for promoting effective policy making in national mental health care. Our institute is composed of 11 departments and the Japan Support Center for Suicide Countermeasures (JSSC). Our duty on education of mental health professionals has continued and intensified to propagate the latest information of each field.