Choosing to take part in clinical research is an important personal decision Your decision to participate will depend on your interests, needs, and expectations about research. This brochure, prepared by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), provides answers to common questions about volunteering for mental health clinical research NIMH is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the primary Federal agency for conducting and supporting medical research. Our goal is to give you basic information about clinical research and help you make a decision about whether to participate Please review this information and discuss it with those close to you As you read, write down questions you may want to ask