National Institute of Mental Health & Hospital

Overview

The National Institute of Mental Health and Hospital (NIMH) is a government psychiatric hospital and mental health institute in Dhaka. It works under the Directorate General of Health Services within the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The institute provides hospital care, professional training and research in mental health.

Its work began in 1981 as a mental health training organisation at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital. It was renamed the National Institute of Mental Health on 19 October 1992. NIMH is a 200-bed tertiary psychiatric hospital with more than 300 personnel.

Services and departments

Outpatient, inpatient and emergency psychiatric care are provided at the institute. Special clinics cover child and adolescent, adult, geriatric, forensic and addiction psychiatry. Community and social psychiatry also forms part of its department structure.

Care includes psychotherapy and clinical psychology support for people attending the hospital. Psychiatric counselling and psychological assessment and testing are also provided. Electroconvulsive therapy is offered where the treating team considers it appropriate for the patient.

Diagnostic services

A pathology laboratory operates at the institute for investigations ordered during care. Radiology and imaging services support assessment of admitted patients and outpatients. Test results are used by the treating departments as part of ongoing care.

Specialist consultations

Specialist consultations are held through the outpatient service and the special clinics described above. Psychotherapy, psychological testing and counselling are arranged as part of outpatient care. Patients are advised to bring previous prescriptions and reports when attending a consultation.

The institute trains psychiatrists, psychologists and other mental health professionals. Postgraduate training runs in psychiatry and clinical psychology. Research work, journal publication and mental health survey reporting are also carried out here.

Emergency care

Emergency psychiatric care is listed among the services of the institute. The institute has not published a standard set of opening hours for its services. Patients needing urgent help should attend the hospital directly and confirm arrangements on arrival.

Location and access

The hospital address is Sher-E-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh. It stands in Sher-E-Bangla Nagar, a central Dhaka area where several government hospitals are located. Patients attend from Dhaka and from districts across Bangladesh.

Frequently asked questions

Where is NIMH located?

The institute is at Sher-E-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh. It stands in the Sher-E-Bangla Nagar area of Dhaka.

Is NIMH a government hospital?

Yes. It works under the Directorate General of Health Services within the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

What services does NIMH provide?

It provides outpatient, inpatient and emergency psychiatric care. Special clinics cover child and adolescent, adult, geriatric, forensic and addiction psychiatry.

Are psychotherapy and counselling available?

Yes. Psychotherapy, clinical psychology, psychiatric counselling and psychological assessment and testing are part of its listed services.

Is emergency care available at NIMH?

Emergency psychiatric care is listed among its services. Standard opening hours are not officially published, so visitors should confirm arrangements at the hospital.

Does NIMH provide training?

Yes. The institute trains psychiatrists, psychologists and other mental health professionals, with postgraduate training in psychiatry and clinical psychology.