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Transforming the understanding
and treatment of mental illnesses.

Celebrating 75 Years! Learn More >>

Photo of Joshua A. Gordon, M.D., Ph.D.

Messages about Depression

From Lab to Clinic: The Power of Translational Research for Mental Health

By Craig Fisher, Mi Hillefors, Erin King, Sarah Morris, Jenni Pacheco, Chris Sarampote, and Julia Zehr on behalf of the Division of Translational Research on 75th Anniversary

Translational research bridges the gap between basic science and impactful mental health solutions. In this guest-written Director’s Message, the NIMH Division of Translational Research discusses past successes, current projects, and future directions of this critical area of work.

Heart, Brain, and Body

By Joshua Gordon on

In honor of American Heart Month (and Valentine’s Day), Dr. Gordon discusses NIMH’s research activity at the intersection of the heart and the brain.

Suicide Prevention Research in a Rapidly Changing World

By Joshua Gordon on

In this Director’s message, Dr. Gordon discusses what we have learned about suicide risk and prevention during the COVID-19 pandemic and how NIMH has been building upon these findings to meet the needs of a rapidly changing world.

Coping With Coronavirus: Managing Stress, Fear, and Anxiety

By Joshua Gordon on

Each person responds to stress in different ways. In this Director’s message, Dr. Gordon talks about managing fear, anxiety, and stress related to the coronavirus pandemic.

Suicide Deaths Are a Major Component of the Opioid Crisis that Must Be Addressed

By Joshua Gordon, Nora Volkow on

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. In observance, Dr. Gordon has partnered with Dr. Volkow, Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), to highlight a dimension of the opioid crisis that receives too little attention—the links between opioid use, opioid use disorder, and suicide.

New Hope for Treatment-Resistant Depression: Guessing Right on Ketamine

By Joshua Gordon on

In his latest message, Dr. Gordon discusses the role of NIMH and other researchers in the development of esketamine, an FDA-approved, rapid-acting medication that targets treatment-resistant depression.

I’m Optimistic about Depression

By Joshua Gordon on

In this Director’s Message, Dr. Gordon discusses research-based advances in the understanding and treatment of depression.

A Bench-to-Bedside Story: The Development of a Treatment for Postpartum Depression

By Joshua Gordon on

In this message, Dr. Gordon discusses the role of NIMH and others in the bench-to-bedside story of brexanolone, which has just been approved by the FDA as the first treatment specifically for postpartum depression.

Translational Research: From Research Findings to Transformative Treatments

By Joshua Gordon on

The American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP) focuses on research which translates basic neuroscience findings into novel treatments. In this Director’s Message, Dr. Gordon discusses some of the exciting work presented at this year’s ACNP meeting.

Moving Stress Research Forward

By Joshua Gordon on

Research tells us that severe stress can cause all kinds of adverse health outcomes, including an increased risk for mental illnesses. Dr. Gordon discusses how NIMH is trying to move the field of stress research forward, toward the translation of basic findings into clinical advances.