HISTORY

Over these years, the economical development has outgrown the mental health concerns in Taiwan. Varieties of abnormal behavior such as substance abuse, alcoholism, suicide, and violence have endangered the public health and led to serious social issues. Moreover, the increased prevalences of various chronic illness have challenged the policy of public health to effective solutions of prevention and treatment. Local professionals involved in the prevention and treatment for these abnormal behavior and their related problems are far less in number as compared to that in USA. Thus, foster of professionals whose expertises and interests are either in basic research or clinical practice, in this regard, is urgent and essential. This Institute has been founded upon the approval of the Department of Education in response to these demands in 1996. Enrollment of graduate students started in August, 1997.

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CHARACTERISTICS

1. Study of Drug Abuse: The risk factors and the biological mechanisms for the development and maintenance of drug addiction and dependence.
2. Study of Depression and Suicide: The social familial, psychological risk factors for the incidence of depression and the suicidal attempts.
3. Psycho-physical Health Promotion for Women and Children:Sex hormone-related mental disorders, developmental and mental deficits in pre- termborns and behavioral problems of abused children.
4. Study of the other Psychological Illness: The genetic factors associated with these mental disorders.