The postdoctoral fellowship is designed to provide trainees with: (1) a thorough understanding of basic theory and substantive knowledge of mental health services research from at least one disciplinary perspective; (2) sophisticated knowledge of methodological, qualitative and quantitative skills used in the discipline; (3) a first-hand acquaintance with mental health problems, institutions and policy questions and an understanding of national and state mental health priorities; (4) an appreciation of the interdisciplinary nature of mental health services research; and (5) intense involvement in mental health research under close supervision of program faculty many of whom are investigators on major mental health services research projects at the Institute.

In consultation with the program directors, each trainee develops an individualized program of research. Some trainees pursue their own research projects advised by faculty in the program who share their research interests. Others become full participants in larger research projects in collaboration with Institute faculty. An internship in the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services is also available for a trainee primarily interested in policy issues. The program has faculty with clinically-related interests for trainees pursuing relevant clinical projects. Although the program does not require course work, trainees may enroll in courses available in the rich health and social sciences curricula of the University and the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

The specialized fields of interest in the program include Conceptual Foundations of Mental Health and Mental Health Practice that includes critical analyses of the definitions of mental illness, psychiatric diagnoses and mental health from philosophical, sociological, and historical perspectives; Psychiatric Disorder and Help Seeking Processes that examines social and cultural factors affecting the emergence of mental disorders, their patterns over the life cycle, symptom identification, informal response, and patterns of treatment and use; Cultural and Ethnic Variations in Mental Health and Mental Health Services that focuses on cultural and ethnic differences in the emergence, identification, help-seeking, and provision of treatment for mental disorders and the cultural and ethnic inequities in the provision of mental health services; Mental Health Services and Systems Research that examines the organization, financing and provision of mental health services especially community treatment, historical changes in mental health services and critical policy issues in mental health; and Interorganizational Perspectives in Mental Health Services that addresses the dynamic interactions of the mental health system with other systems (e.g. criminal justice, social services, substance abuse, foster care, family networks and employment) and how these diverse systems can be organized to improve the well-being of persons with severe mental illness.

Postdoctoral trainees represent a talented and productive group. In the past five years trainees have authored over one hundred publications including books, chapters in books, and articles that have appeared in the leading journals of social science and psychiatry. Many former trainees are now major contributors in mental health services research, policy and teaching.