Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration

CMHS Consumer Affairs E-News
January 26, 2006, Vol. 06-05

NIMH Call for Public Reviewers

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is seeking individuals interested in serving as public participant reviewers of research grant applications. NIMH has involved public reviewers as full voting members on committees reviewing interventions and services applications for the past six years. The Institute has found that input provided by public reviewers adds important perspective and sensitivity to the review process and helps to ensure the public health relevance of funded grants.

What Public Reviewers Do?

Public reviewers read and provide written critiques (usually 1-3 paragraphs) of grant applications. Their critiques focus on the strengths and weaknesses of the application's public health significance and/or innovation; on the feasibility of plans for recruitment, retention, and follow-up of subjects; on outreach efforts to special populations; and on issues pertaining to the protection of human subjects. At review meetings, public reviewers join the discussion of applications with other reviewers and vote on the merit of each application discussed. Review meetings are typically held in the Washington, DC area or by telephone conference call.

Who Are Public Reviewers?

Individuals selected to serve as public reviewers typically have had some involvement with mental health care as consumers, family members, mental health professionals, members of advocacy groups, educators, etc.

Public reviewers will typically meet one of more of the following criteria:

- experience with mental disorders, e.g., as a person with a mental disorder,
a family member, caregiver, or supporter of such a person

- experience with mental disorders as a mental health care practitioner,
payer or policy maker

- experience as a research participant in studies of mental disorders

- community service involving representation of the interests and
perspectives of people with mental disorders, e.g., service on mental
health boards or committees, relevant publications, or presentations

An individual need not meet all four criteria to be selected. NIMH staff will select nominees to invite to the orientation, based on mental health interests and experience and consideration of demographic and geographic factors. The Institute seeks a demographically and geographically diverse pool of Public Participant Reviewers, and nominations of individuals from traditionally under-represented groups are welcome.

If you are chosen to attend the orientation workshop and participate, you will then be added to our roster of potential reviewers. Inclusion on the roster means that over two years' time, you are likely to be asked to serve as a public reviewer.

When is the Orientation Workshop Scheduled?

The Public Reviewer Workshop is scheduled for June 22, 2006 from 9-5 in the Washington, DC area. If you are selected to attend the workshop NIMH will pay for travel, lodging, per diem expenses and provide a $200 honorarium - all in accordance with Federal regulations.

What To Do If You Are Interested or Know Someone Who Is?

Interested individuals should respond by email to Annette Mayberry at amayberr@mail.nih.gov - please include a copy of your resume and a brief letter highlighting your area(s) of interest and history of involvement with mental health issues.

Please understand that NIMH is likely to receive many more expressions of interest than available training slots. Expressions of interest can be accepted until May 1, 2006. Invitations to attend the orientation will be extended by May 24, 2006.
*************************************************

To subscribe or unsubscribe to this list, please visit the Consumer Survivor page of the Center for Mental Health Services Web site at: http://samhsa.gov/consumersurvivor/

The Center for Mental Health Services is a component of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, United States Department of Health and Human Services.