The Institute for Mental Health Research promotes psychological health and well-being throughout the lifespan, from childhood to late life through research and education. On a yearly cycle, the Institute seeks to fund pilot studies on mental disorders and mental health. IMHR grants are designed as seed money and are intended to fuel new scientific research by attracting outside grant and commercial investment to Arizona’s scientists and research centers.  Cutting-edge scientific research across Arizona has been funded by the Institute.

Research in children is important because the emotional and behavioral problems of children tend to persist or to develop into other disorders later in life, if not successfully treated.  Childhood is the ideal time to intervene to prevent problems from arising or, when they do, to prevent them from becoming chronic and interfering with academic and social development. IMHR-funded childhood research includes studies on:

• Autism
• Rett Syndrome
• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Anxiety Disorders
• Childhood Psychopathology

Tasks associated with normal development, such as becoming financially and emotionally independent of one’s family of origin, getting married, having children, and aging and retirement can be stressful and lead to the development of psychopathology.  Identifying risk factors for problems arising from normal developmental experiences and effective treatments for these special circumstances can allow life’s transitions to proceed without more deleterious consequences. IMHR-funded developmental-focused research includes studies on:

• Maternal Depression 
• Postpartum Depression

• Resilience (a flexible and efficient response to challenge and threat)
• Personality Disorders

Many mental disorders have an initial onset in early adult life.  They can have a devastating effect on a person’s ability to function in the work place and in social relationships, and may lead to premature death though illness or suicide. The causes of most mental disorders are multi-factorial, with contributions from genes and neurobiology, as well as from environmental circumstances and stress.  Understanding these processes holds the key to the development of more effective treatments.  IMHR-funded research in this area includes studies on:

• Depression
• Cancer and Depression
• Bipolar Disorder 

• Schizophrenia

• Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
• Substance Dependence
• Emotions and Physical Health

In late life, brain functioning begins to decline.  Neurodegenerative disorders of late life are extremely disabling and pose severe burdens on individuals, their families, and health care resources.  Early identification may lead to early intervention to slow the progression of these devastating illnesses. IMHR-funded research focused on later life includes studies on:

• Mild Cognitive Impairment
• Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)