The Outreach Partnership Program is a nationwide initiative of the NIMH’s Office of Constituency Relations and Public Liaison (OCRPL). The Program partners with national and state organizations to disseminate the latest scientific findings; inform the public about mental disorders; and reduce the associated stigma and discrimination. The Program strives to increase public awareness about the important role of basic and clinical research in transforming the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses and addiction disorders, paving the way for prevention, recovery, and cure. The Program also provides NIMH with the opportunity to engage community organizations in a dialogue to help develop a national research agenda to improve America’s mental health.
Objectives
The Outreach Partnership Program is a vital element in NIMH outreach efforts to deliver science-based information to the public, health professionals, constituency groups, and all interested stakeholders. Through its Outreach and National Partners, the Program strives to:
- Increase understanding about mental disorders, the brain and behavior;
- Increase awareness of the role of basic, translational and clinical research to the development of treatment and prevention interventions and ultimately recovery and cure;
- Reduce myths and misperceptions about mental disorders that contribute to mental health stigma and discrimination; and
- Increase access to science-based mental health information, particularly among populations that experience mental health disparities.
Outreach Partners
There are 55 Outreach Partner organizations from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. As part of the agreement with NIMH, each competitively selected Outreach Partner conducts a statewide or local mental health outreach and education program to deliver science-based messages to the public, health professionals, and underserved populations. Partners also promote opportunities for volunteer participation in NIMH and NIH sponsored clinical studies.
Benefits provided to the Outreach Partners include an annual stipend, travel reimbursement to an annual meeting, a biweekly electronic update with the latest Federal news and resources related to mental health, and access to NIMH scientific and educational publications for mass dissemination. Partners also have numerous opportunities for networking with Federal, national, and state organizations through the annual meetings, and a listserv.
See list of Outreach Partners…
National Partners
There are over 80 National Partners, including professional, consumer, advocacy, and service-related organizations with a nationwide membership and/or audience. National Partners are concerned primarily with mental health, but also include a broad range of groups involved in general health and medicine, social services, and education. The Outreach Partnership Program strives to connect state, local and national organizations with one another to build coalitions. The resulting partnerships extend outreach and educational activities to more diverse populations, allow for information sharing, and help national campaigns reach state and community levels.
See list of National Partners…
