Notice Number: NOT-MH-12-015

Key Dates
Release Date: January 23, 2012

Issued by
National Institute of Mental Health,(NIMH)

Background

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Initial Review Group has four subcommittees including:

• The Interventions Committee for Adult Disorders (ITVA),
• Interventions Committee for Disorders Involving Children and Their Families (ITVC),
• Mental Health Services in MH Specialty Settings (SRSP), and
• Mental Health Services in Non-Specialty Settings (SRNS). 

Over the past several rounds, the number of applications referred to SRSP and to a lesser extent SRNS has been relatively modest, thus resulting in the plan to merge SRSP and SRNS into a single committee focused on mental health services research (Mental Health Services Research Committee [SERV]).  A single SERV committee focused on mental health services research will provide for a more efficient use of the time and talents of the services researchers called to serve on the committee as well as provide for peer review of the full spectrum of services research submitted to the NIMH for support.

Description of the Restructured Standing Committee

Consistent with the NIMH Strategic Plan http://www.nimh.nih.gov/about/strategic-planning-reports/index.shtml and its stated focus on the services research areas with greatest promise for addressing critical needs of those with mental disorders, the Mental Health Services Research Committee (SERV) will review applications focused on research  topics in mental health services, including delivery and financing of services; accessibility, use, quality, cost, and outcomes of services; the impact of health and insurance policy changes; and dissemination and implementation of evidence-based and promising new preventive, treatment, and services interventions. It will also review applications that focus on improving scientific methods to be applied in mental health services research and methods for improving the design and analytic techniques for testing and delivery of new preventive, treatment and services interventions. Major areas of focus will include improved understanding of the factors that contribute to optimal service availability, practice, and sustainability in a variety of care settings and in diverse communities; contextual factors that contribute to more personalized and effective mental health services; and processes for efficient and ongoing assessment, monitoring, and improvement.  Research may focus on organizations, systems, or communities and may examine engagement in and adherence to mental health treatment and services.  Research may involve a range of techniques, including primary clinical research, qualitative and observational techniques, and/or secondary data analyses. Applications specific to mental health policy development and outcomes will also be reviewed in SERV.

This new subcommittee will have 24 authorized members:  22 scientific and 2 public members.    The restructured committee will hold its first meeting in June 2012.

Inquiries

Inquiries regarding this Notice may be directed to:

David Armstrong, Ph.D.
Division of Extramural Activities
National Institute of Mental Health
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 6138, MSC 9609
Bethesda, MD 20892-9609
Telephone: (301) 443-3534
FAX: (301) 443-4720
Email: [email protected]