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The Institute for Mental and Behavioral Health Research (IMBHR): Building a Better Future For Children's Mental Health

The Institute for Mental and Behavioral Health Research (IMBHR) was created to study and share expertise about mental and behavioral health in children with the goal of real-world impact for children and teens.

IMBHR researchers have access to state-of-the-art resources and strategic support from Nationwide Children’s Hospital.   

Nationwide Children’s has made behavioral and mental health a priority by emphasizing it in the organization’s strategic plan; building a massive facility dedicated to behavioral health on its main campus; and providing advanced, integrated resources such as the Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine.

As one of the largest children’s hospitals in the United States, Nationwide Children’s has a large and diverse patient population – arriving from all 50 states and 40+ countries – and a mature primary care network, key factors for effective mental and behavioral health research. 

IMBHR is located in the Big Lots Behavioral Health Pavilion, a nine-story, 386,000-square-foot facility featuring 8,000 square feet of dedicated research space and direct integration with nationally recognized clinical programs.

IMBHR faculty and staff work with clinicians from across the Nationwide Children’s enterprise and in collaboration with The Ohio State University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health and the OSU Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research. 

IMBHR is rapidly expanding, backed by major philanthropic investment and organizational support. IMBHR leadership prioritizes innovation, workforce development, and leadership opportunities for new and experienced researchers.

 

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Mental and Behavioral Health Research Resources

Centralized, on-site resources support investigators at all stages of their work. Researchers also have access to core resources at The Ohio State University and the Institute for Clinical and Translational Science.

The Behavioral Trials Office is a point-of-entry service for social and behavioral research at Nationwide Children’s. Certified Clinical Research Professionals in the BTO, including project managers and research coordinators, support the efficient coordination of social and behavioral research activities, according to Good Clinical Practice and federal, state and institutional regulations. 

Clinical Research Services is a portal through which clinical investigators access streamlined coordination of services necessary to initiate clinical research projects, regardless of funding source. The team supports all clinical research studies, providing staff and/or services to manage your study from beginning to end according to Good Clinical Practice and federal, state and institutional regulations and guidelines.

The Office of Data Sciences is a testament to our strategic vision of unlocking the full capabilities of health data sciences across our research endeavors. By integrating cloud computing, artificial intelligence, machine learning and big data analytics, ODS aims to drive new discoveries and propel Nationwide Children’s research forward. 

The Steven and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine is an interdisciplinary institute that integrates the transforming power of genomics across research and clinical care. The institute provides a unique environment that combines state-of-the-art testing within its clinical laboratory, advanced computational data analytics and basic science labs exploring a wide range of genetic mutations.

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Nationwide Children's Research Staff, Eric Youngstrom

The Institute for Mental and Behavioral Health is led by Eric Youngstrom, PhD, a nationally renowned psychologist specializing in the relationship of mood and psychopathology, and the clinical assessment of children and families.

Dr. Youngstrom’s research focuses on improving clinical assessment instruments for differential diagnoses and on predicting a child’s treatment progress, especially for bipolar disorder. In addition to being the institute’s inaugural director, he is the first recipient of the DiMarco Family Endowed Chair in Mental and Behavioral Health Research at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

David Axelson, MD, is chief of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health and chief of the Section of Psychiatry at Nationwide Children's Hospital. He is the John W. Wolfe Endowed Chair in Pediatric Psychiatry and a professor of psychiatry at The Ohio State University College of Medicine and chief of the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. 

His research encompasses both psychosocial and psychopharmacological approaches. Dr. Axelson’s phenomenological work has focused on the longitudinal course of pediatric bipolar disorder and the role of subthreshold symptoms of mania in the developmental progression of bipolar disorder.

Eric M. Butter, PhD, serves as chief of the Section of Psychology at Nationwide Children's and director of Nationwide Children's Child Development Center, as well as chief of the Division of Psychology in the Department of Pediatrics at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. Dr. Butter is a founding faculty member of the Child Development Center, an interdisciplinary program offering multiple medical subspecialties including psychology; social work; marriage and family therapy; speech and language therapy; and genetics counseling.

His research has focused on the biomedical correlates and potential etiologies of autism spectrum disorders and ADHD as well as psychological and medical treatment of these disorders. He is currently the PI for several medical network grants and federally funded research studies focusing on pediatrics.

 

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Behavioral Health Services at Nationwide Children’s

Behavioral health care at Nationwide Children’s is administered across a continuum, from prevention to crisis. Care coordination and wide-ranging research programs help integrate these systems of care and expand their impact.

At A Glance:

  • Licensed Inpatient Psych Beds: 38
  • Staffed Youth Crisis Stabilization Unit Beds: 16
  • Psychiatric Crisis Department Visits: 7,695
  • Intermediate Level of Care Visits (IOP/PHP, Complex Behavior, not including IHBT/EIBI): 8,758
  • Ambulatory Visits (excluding Intermediate Level of Care): 277,469
  • Unique patients: 46,054
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Join the IMBHR Faculty

IMBHR is currently seeking assistant, associate or full professors and researchers (open rank) with expertise in mental health, implementation science, school-based intervention, prevention, cost-effectiveness, data science, AI, genomic medicine, and/or evidence-based assessment. 

Qualifications:  

  • Doctoral degree in clinical, school or quantitative psychology, nursing, medicine, health services research or related field 
  • Two years of postdoctoral research training or equivalent experience 
  • Strong track record of publishing in high quality journals  
  • Current K-level or R-level federal funding  

The faculty and leadership at IMBHR are deeply committed to researcher success, offering robust mentorship, internal grant support, and an environment designed to accelerate research impact and professional growth.

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FAQ

Why should I move to Columbus, Ohio?

Discover Columbus, Ohio – A City Where Innovation Meets Livability

Columbus is more than just the state capital of Ohio — it’s one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic cities in the Midwest. As the second-largest city in the region and the 14th largest in the U.S., Columbus offers a rare combination: big-city opportunity with small-city affordability and warmth.

Home to a highly educated and diverse population, Columbus is fueled by top-tier research, a vibrant startup ecosystem, world-class healthcare, and a booming tech sector. The city is a hub for young professionals and families, with thriving neighborhoods, an exploding culinary scene, nationally recognized arts and entertainment, and access to top-ranked public schools and universities.

What truly sets Columbus apart is The Columbus Way — a deeply rooted culture of collaboration, inclusivity, and community stewardship. This spirit of working together across sectors and silos drives innovation and civic progress — and makes it easy for new talent to make a meaningful impact.

Whether you're looking to advance bold research, build lasting collaborations, or live in a city that supports both your career and lifestyle, Columbus is a place where you can truly thrive.

Columbus Accolades:

  • “A hidden gem in plain sight” (Forbes)
  • #4 City for Young Professionals (Forbes)
  • #2 City for Commerce (Site Selection Magazine)
  • #5 City for New College Graduates (New York Times)
  • #8 Most Climate-Resilient City (Architectural Digest)
  • Winner of US Department of Transportation’s First-Ever Smart City Challenge

Living in Columbus At-a-Glance:

  • 47% of jobs are in health, education, government and professional services sectors
  • $1,200 median monthly rent
  • $226,207 average home sale price
  • Average Commute = 26 minutes
  • Median Age = 35
  • Score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index
  • More than 50 colleges and universities

The Columbus Region has earned a national reputation for its energetic blend of arts and culture: the #1 science center; #1 public library; and even the #1 ice cream; Third best beer city and a top 10 public market (US News & World Report); Home to more fashion designers than any U.S. city, outside of New York and Los Angeles.

Sports teams for every season: Columbus Crew SC (MLS), Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL), Columbus Clippers (MiLB), Columbus Fury (Pro Volleyball Federation) and the Ohio State Buckeyes.

 

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Why should I conduct my research at Nationwide Children’s?

Image of exterior of building

As one of the largest children’s hospitals in the United States, Nationwide Children’s has a large and diverse patient population – arriving from all 50 states and 40+ countries – and a mature primary care network, key factors for effective mental and behavioral health research. 

Nationwide Children’s has made behavioral and mental health a strategic priority for the organization by highlighting this area in its overall strategic plan; building a massive facility dedicated to behavioral health on its main campus; and providing state-of-the-art integrated resources such as the Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine and the Office of Data Sciences.

The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s encompasses more than 840,000 square feet of dedicated pediatric research and innovation space, including research buildings and offices across campus and the off-site Biopathology Center, and is ranked among the top 10 freestanding children’s hospitals, based on NIH funding.

The AWRI is composed of Centers of Emphasis structured to support team science and discovery. Centralized, on-site resources include CRISPR/Gene Editing, grant funding support and scientific writing resources. Researchers also benefit from in-house research regulatory affairs staff and a robust Office of Technology Commercialization to ensure that discoveries are translated into care settings.

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Are you interested in joining our team but not ready to apply yet? We're here to answer any questions you may have about the role, the application process, or what it's like to work at Nationwide Children's. Fill out the form below, and our team will get back to you within two business days.