When: January 20, 2006
Where: MD
Institute: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

In January, representatives of patient and family organizations came together with leaders in mental health research at the Winter Science Meeting of the NIMH Alliance for Research Progress to learn about the latest discoveries and to discuss priorities for future mental health research.

The meeting focused on two topic areas: trauma and terror and new findings on mental illness in the workplace. Distinguished researchers presented the latest findings on trauma as it affects soldiers, returning veterans, and their families; the impact of disasters on individuals; and the cost of mental illness in the workplace.

The Alliance is a group of patient and family advocates representing national voluntary organizations meeting twice a year with the NIMH Director and staff. The Alliance meets in the summer to discuss research priorities, which allows an opportunity for NIMH to hear directly from representatives of constituency groups about their views and concerns. The winter meeting focuses on the latest research advances. Alliance meetings are an important forum to help NIMH understand the public’s priorities and concerns and build an appropriate strategy for research to create a better future.

Next Steps
You can find summaries from this and previous Alliance meetings at http://www.nimh.nih.gov/outreach/alliancemenu.cfm.