42 U.S.C. § 285p — Purpose of Institute

(a) In general: The general purpose of the National Institute of Mental Health is to conduct and support biomedical and behavioral research, health services research, research training, and health information dissemination, all about the causes, diagnosis, treatment, control, and prevention of mental illness. (b) Research program: This research program includes biomedical and behavioral neuroscience, and aims to advance the treatment and prevention of mental illness, promote mental health, and study the psychological, social, and legal factors that shape behavior. (c) Collaboration: The Director must work with the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, focusing on the Institute's services research and sharing results with health professionals and the public. (d) Information about suicide: (1) The Director must (A) develop and publish information about what causes suicide and how to prevent it, and (B) make that information available to the public and to health professionals. (2) This information must especially cover suicide among people under 24 years old. (e) Associate Director for Special Populations: (1) The Director must name an Associate Director for Special Populations. (2) This person must (A) develop and coordinate research policy and programs that focus more attention on the mental health needs of women and minority groups; (B) support basic and applied research into the mental health problems of women and minority groups; (C) study how discrimination affects institutions and individuals, including majority institutions and individuals; (D) support and develop research aimed at ending institutional discrimination; and (E) make sure training programs, service-delivery programs, and research at the Institute pay more attention to the concerns of women and minority groups.