On February 29th, Dr. Joshua A. Gordon announced his plans to step down as the director of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) – effective June 14. Dr. Gordon has served in this role for the past eight years, managing a wide range of basic, translational, and clinical research projects to understand and transform treatment of mental illness. Dr. Gordon had assumed the role in 2016, following the departure of Dr. Thomas R. Insel.
[Read: Statement on the Departure of National Institute of Mental Health Director Dr. Joshua Gordon]
FABBS is grateful for Dr. Gordon’s leadership and appreciated the opportunity to work with him in that role. During his tenure, FABBS and APA launched the Friends of NIMH, a coalition of organizations representing scientists, health care providers, individuals, families, and communities, dedicated to supporting the NIMH mission to transform the understanding of mental health and the treatment of mental illnesses through basic biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research, to best inform prevention, early intervention, recovery, and cures.
In recent months NIMH has named several psychologists to the National Advisory Mental Health Council (NAMHC) board including Dr. Rinad Beidas, Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, and Dr. Angus W. MacDonald III, University of Minnesota. NAMHC plays a vital role in advising the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the National Institute of Health, and the National Institute of Mental Health.
Dr. Gordon will return to Columbia University. During the transition period, NIMH Deputy Director Dr. Shelli Avenevoli, will serve as Acting Director, while the national search for Dr. Gordon’s replacement is underway.
FABBS Comments on the NIH Minority Health and Health Disparities Strategic Plan for 2026-2030