Mental Health
We are leaders in the research, education, and advocacy of mental health from a public health perspective.
Mental Health Headlines
NIH Funding Makes Large-scale Johns Hopkins Autism Study Possible
With funding from the National Institutes of Health earmarked by the Autism CARES Act, researchers aim to pinpoint the environmental factors that increase a child's likelihood for developing autism.
NIH Funding is a Matter of Life or Death
Johns Hopkins psychiatrist Paul Nestadt says cutting NIH funding for suicide prevention research is 'not just a fiscal decision—it's a threat to human lives.'
What We Do in the Department of Mental Health
We are the only department of mental health in a school of public health in the U.S. We bring together experts across disciplines—from childhood adversity to aging, workplace health to global health—to understand mental health, prevent and manage mental health and substance use disorders, and advocate for improved access to mental health services. Dedicated to advancing research and public health practice, not clinical training, our faculty are committed to educating the next generation of mental health researchers and professionals and giving students the foundational skills to improve mental health in their communities and globally.
Department of Mental Health Highlights
One-of-a-Kind Department
We are the only department dedicated to mental health in a school of public health in the U.S.
Spanning the Life Course
Faculty, staff, and students carry out research on childhood, adulthood, and later life mental and behavioral health, and study the determinants of mental health at each stage of the continuum from mental wellness to mental illness.
Teaching and Training
We are committed to educating and mentoring students to become leaders in public mental health practice and research.
From Research to Implementation
We identify determinants, develop and test interventions, and evaluate strategies for implementing and sustaining these interventions through evidence-based policy.
Mental Health Programs
The Department of Mental Health offers a doctoral program, a master's program in health science, and a combined bachelor’s/master’s program. We also offer postdoctoral training, two certificate programs, and a special Summer Institute.
Bachelor's/Master of Health Science (Bachelor's/MHS)
The Bachelor's/MHS program gives Public Health Studies majors at Johns Hopkins University an opportunity to seamlessly extend their undergraduate studies to graduate-level coursework and research.
Master of Health Science (MHS)
The MHS in Mental Health is a nine-month degree program that provides a foundation in the research methods and content-area knowledge essential to public mental health.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
The PhD program provides advanced training in the application of research methods to understand and enhance public mental health.
Centers in the Department of Mental Health
The Department of Mental Health houses several centers that bring together faculty, students, and community partners across multiple departments and schools in pursuit of improving public mental health.
Sachini Bandara, PhD, MS
Sachini Bandara, PhD ’18, MS, studies how public health policies can improve well-being for people who use drugs, have mental illness, or are involved in the carceral system.
Our Commitment to IDARE
In the Department of Mental Health, our faculty, staff, students, and postdoctoral fellows are committed to fostering an environment that values diversity in its many forms. We are advancing research and training on how racism and structural disadvantages increase risk for mental and behavioral health issues, while uncovering innovative strategies that enhance equity and justice in health programs, policies, and interventions.
The road to true diversity, equity, and inclusion is one that involves not one or two changes, but a consistent, ongoing effort. We believe it is our responsibility to improve mental health and well-being for all members of our community. Creating an environment where all people feel safe, supported, and included is an essential step in accomplishing this goal.
Upcoming Events
Support Our Department
A gift to our department can help to provide student scholarships and internships, attract and retain faculty, and support innovation.