Today, thanks to better early detection, there are 63% fewer deaths from heart disease than there were just a few decades ago. Thomas Insel, the director of the National Institute of Mental Health, wonders: Could we do the same for depression and schizophrenia? The first step in this new avenue of research, he says, is a crucial reframing: for us to stop thinking about "mental disorders" and start understanding them as "brain disorders."

Thomas Insel: Toward a new understanding of mental illness

Toward a new understanding of mental illness

Redefining mental disorders as brain disorders illuminates a path towards early detection and intervention, promising a brighter future.

Leukemia mortality slashed by 85% over 30 years, demonstrating the power of medical advancements in treating child cancer.

Reframing mental disorders as brain disorders opens new avenues for early detection and intervention, transforming treatment approaches.