US Code

Public Law 119-83 (04/13/2026)

42 U.S.C. § 285p

Purpose of Institute

(a)

In general

The general purpose of the National Institute of Mental Health (hereafter in this subpart referred to as the “Institute”) is the conduct and support of biomedical and behavioral research, health services research, research training, and health information dissemination with respect to the cause, diagnosis, treatment, control and prevention of mental illness.

(b)

Research program

The research program established under this subpart shall include support for biomedical and behavioral neuroscience and shall be designed to further the treatment and prevention of mental illness, the promotion of mental health, and the study of the psychological, social and legal factors that influence behavior.

(c)

Collaboration

The Director of the Institute shall collaborate with the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in focusing the services research activities of the Institute and in disseminating the results of such research to health professionals and the general public.

(d)

Information with respect to suicide

(1)

In general

The Director of the Institute shall—
(A)
develop and publish information with respect to the causes of suicide and the means of preventing suicide; and
(B)
make such information generally available to the public and to health professionals.
(2)

Youth suicide

Information described in paragraph (1) shall especially relate to suicide among individuals under 24 years of age.

(e)

Associate Director for Special Populations

(1)

In general

The Director of the Institute shall designate an Associate Director for Special Populations.

(2)

Duties

The Associate Director for Special Populations shall—
(A)
develop and coordinate research policies and programs to assure increased emphasis on the mental health needs of women and minority populations;
(B)
support programs of basic and applied social and behavioral research on the mental health problems of women and minority populations;
(C)
study the effects of discrimination on institutions and individuals, including majority institutions and individuals;
(D)
support and develop research designed to eliminate institutional discrimination; and
(E)
provide increased emphasis on the concerns of women and minority populations in training programs, service delivery programs, and research endeavors of the Institute.

July 1, 1944, ch. 373 Pub. L. 102–321, title I, § 124(a)106 Stat. 364 Pub. L. 102–352, § 2(a)(5)106 Stat. 938 Pub. L. 109–482, title I, § 103(b)(36)120 Stat. 3688 (, title IV, § 464R, as added , , ; amended , , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 109–4822007—Subsec. (f). struck out subsec. (f) which authorized appropriations and provided that at least 15% of the appropriated amounts were to carry out health services research relating to mental health.

Pub. L. 102–352o1992—Subsec. (f)(1). struck out “other than section 285–4 of this title” after “this subpart”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2007 Amendment

Pub. L. 109–482section 109 of Pub. L. 109–482section 281 of this titleAmendment by applicable only with respect to amounts appropriated for fiscal year 2007 or subsequent fiscal years, see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1992 Amendment

Pub. L. 102–352Pub. L. 102–321section 3(1) of Pub. L. 102–352section 285n of this titleAmendment by effective immediately upon effectuation of amendment made by , see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date

Pub. L. 102–321section 236 of this titleSection effective , with provision for programs providing financial assistance, see section 801(c), (d) of , set out as an Effective Date of 1992 Amendment note under .

Study of Barriers to Insurance Coverage of Treatment for Mental Illness and Substance Abuse

Section 704 of Pub. L. 102–321 directed Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through Director of the National Institute of Mental Health and in consultation with Administrator of Health Care Financing Administration, to conduct a study of the barriers to insurance coverage for the treatment of mental illness and substance abuse and to submit a report to Congress on the results of such study not later than .