NIMH Director Steven Hyman to return to Harvard; NAMI praises his leadership as “A hard act to follow”

Posted on October 29, 2001

Since 1996, Steven E. Hyman, M.D. has served with distinction as a brilliant, dynamic, outspoken director of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), presiding over an agency with more than 1,000 scientists and budget of $1.2 billion. He will be a hard act for anyone to follow.

Under Dr. Hyman, NIMH's budget nearly doubled, and the agency played a more forceful role in setting the nation's scientific research agenda in mental illnesses. He challenged traditional research and achieved greater emphasis on the brain and molecular biology, as well as the mind and behavior.

Dr. Hyman understood the importance of connecting pure scientific research to clinical insights and practices. He helped to initiate large-scale studies seeking to identify more effective, real world treatments for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other severe mental illnesses. He also played a leading role in collaborating with the White House and the U.S. Surgeon General to produce landmark reports and conferences on mental illness in adults and children. He helped to establish the nation's baseline for future research and treatment.

NAMI also honors Dr. Hyman for significant leadership to ensure greater protections for consumers who participate in clinical research, and to increase the role of consumers and families in shaping NIMH priorities and families. We wish him well as he prepares to return to Harvard University to assume the office of Provost in December 2001. We look forward to continued friendship with him, and opportunities for future collaboration.