Sound statistical methods have served a critical role throughout the history of mental health purchase ativan online research and will continue to serve a critical role. There is a need for an intellectual forum for statisticians who work in mental health research in which to communicate and facilitate further advancements in the field. The Interest Group on Statistics in Mental Health Research (SMHR) was established in June to fulfill this need.

The SMHR aims to achieve the following goals:

• Provide a forum for communication among statisticians who work in mental health research and communication between statisticians and mental health researchers to facilitate the use of sound statistical methodologies in mental health research
• Facilitate the development and application of statistical methodologies for mental health research
• Promote career opportunities for statisticians in mental health research

To achieve these goals, the SMHR will host professional activities both within the ASA and in conjunction with other entities involved in mental health research, including professional associations, funding agencies, service organizations, and foundations.

The SMHR interest group has already sponsored invited sessions at the forthcoming ENAR and ASA Joint Statistical Meetings in 2012 and is cosponsor of three additional invited sessions at JSM 2012 related to statistical methods in mental health research. Additional information is available in the SMHR’s newsletter.

ASA members interested in joining the SMHR are welcome to enroll online. For further information, contact Robert Gibbons at rdg@uchicago.edu or Naihua Duan at naihua.duan@columbia.edu.