FIRST-MD was created for the purpose of leading innovative and impactful research in the treatment of severe mental illnesses such as Bipolar Disorder, Treatment-Resistant Depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), as well as to foster the education and training of mental health care providers. A major focus of the work of FIRST-MD is "interventions research" consisting of studies aimed
at determining the effectiveness of pharmacologic, psychosocial, neuromodulatory, and combination approaches. Our Foundation's advanced therapeutics research program is funded by tax-deductible charitable contributions from individuals, corporations, other non-profit organizations, and competitive research grants. One of our major research partners is Laurel Ridge Treatment Center (LRTC), the largest psychiatric hospital in South Texas. To conduct its research, FIRST-MD works in conjunction with the specialized and integrated Center for Advanced Recovery and Education (CARE) in Mood Disorders at LRTC, and builds on the success of their military treatment program which has led LRTC to become the largest civilian provider of mental health services for the military in the country.
