Funding mental health research in Arizona since 2001
A Little History
In the summer of 1999, Governor Jane Hull and the Arizona legislature created a commission called the Bush Commission to review and make recommendations on the state of mental health services in Arizona. One of the Commission’s key recommendations, suggested by Commission members Mike Meyer, a private businessman and Dr. Alan Gelenberg, Past Chair of Psychiatry at the University of Arizona was to establish a world-renowned institute to conduct mental health research and support young investigators
In the ensuing two years, co-founders Mike Meyer and Dr. Gelenberg met with state legislators, scientists, business and community leaders to explore the creation of the Institute. In 2001, success was achieved with the passage of Senate Bill 1391 by the Arizona Legislature and signed into law by the Governor. Senate Bill 1391 provided for $5 million in State funds to the Institute to be matched by the private sector. Founding/initial Board members included Lauren Meyer, Joan Shapiro, MD, Cheryl Collier, Michael Zent, Robert Hess, Chris Wertheim, Patty Weiss, and James Bush. Governor Hull, state legislators Carolyn Allen, Ruth Solomon and Susan Gerard were instrumental in passing the legislation to establish the Institute.
Since 2020, IMHR has been focused on identifying and funding research that investigates the mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Institute remains nimble and able to partner, create named funds both large and small, and work with endowments specified for unique areas of mental health including neurological approaches that may be areas of passion for specific donors. IMHR is also dedicated to grantmaking for research that explores mental health care disparities, and the needs of vulnerable populations. This work is vitally needed, and findings from research in this space will make a life-changing impact for millions of people in the sate, the nation, and beyond.
IMHR at a glance:
Garnered a $20 : $1 return on initial grant money, culminating in over $20 million
toward mental health research in the state of Arizona
Supported over 50 Arizona projects and scientists, across more than 10 institutions including:
Arizona State University, University of Arizona, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Barrow Neurological Institute, Mayo Clinic, Banner Health, Sun Health Research Institute, and others
Raised more than $2 million in donor dollars that go directly to support mental health research
The Necessity of Mental Health Research
We need more mental health research to find better treatments; establish evidence-based public policy; understand rising rates of mental disorders; address disparities (like the impact of poverty and discrimination); gather reliable data on under-researched populations (like women); improve prevention; link physical and mental health; and develop effective, scalable interventions for a growing global crisis, ensuring personalized care and tackling the root causes of illness.
Research provides the evidence for effective policies, justifies funding, and helps build mentally healthier societies by:
Developing Better Treatments: Current treatments don't work for everyone; research seeks new medications, therapies, and approaches to help those with resistant conditions.
Understanding Rising Rates & Causes: High rates of anxiety, depression, and suicide (especially among youth) demand research into causes, including social media, trauma, and conflict.
Addressing Social & Economic Factors: Research must explore how poverty, racism, inequality, and societal instability drive mental health issues, informing culturally sound interventions as well as policy changes.
Improving Prevention & Resilience: We need evidence-based programs to promote well-being and build resilience in at-risk populations, particularly children.
Bridging Physical & Mental Health: Understanding the links between physical illnesses and mental health is crucial for holistic care.
Addressing the Gender Health Gap: Women have historically been excluded from medical research, leading to drugs and treatments based on male bodies and brains as the standard, causing issues like incorrect dosages, more side effects, and under-diagnosis of female-specific conditions.
Informing Policy & Scale Solutions: Research provides data to prioritize funding, justify investments, and implement effective, cost-efficient care systems globally, reducing the treatment gap.
Personalizing Care: Mental health journeys are unique; research helps develop tailored solutions for diverse needs, moving beyond one-size-fits-all approaches.
Leveraging New Technologies: Advances in neuroscience and stem cell tech allow deeper understanding of brain changes, opening new treatment targets.
Funding for continued research is vital to move from reactive care to proactive, preventative, and personalized mental health support, tackling a growing public health challenge.
IMHR Anti-Racism Statement
“The opposite of racist isn’t ‘not racist.’ It is ‘anti-racist.’ Being anti-racist requires persistent self-awareness, constant self-criticism, and regular self-examination."
– Ibram X. Kendi, PhD, Founding Director, Boston University Center for Antiracist Research
The Institute for Mental Health Research is committed to being actively anti-racist, with a resolve to decrease the mental health burden engendered by systemic racism, and to ensure our behaviors as leaders, researchers, educators, scientists, philanthropists, and administrators meet these ideals. By very deliberately choosing to be anti-racist, we become actively conscious about race and racism, and are compelled to take actions to end racial inequities in our daily lives and the lives of the communities we serve.
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