Department of Mental Health

About Us
The Department of Mental Health was first established in 1947 as the “Department of Neurology and Psychiatry” under the Faculty of Medicine at the National University of Mongolia. The first head of the department was the USSR neurologist, Doctor, and Professor G.Ya. Liberzon, who served from 1947 to 1951. The first Mongolian head of the department was Gotov Lodon (1951-1968), who was also the first dean of the Faculty of Human Medicine. A corresponding member of the Academy of Sciences, Professor G. Lodon authored several significant works on cerebrovascular diseases, neuroinfections, and spinal cord injuries. Together with Honored Doctor of the Mongolian People’s Republic L. Dagzmaa, he dedicated his efforts to developing the profession.

Subsequent heads of the department include:
– Professor Ts. Gurdorj (1958–1990)
– Professor Sh. Dorjjadamba (1990–1995)
– Professor S. Byambasuren (1995–1998, 2005–2010)
– Associate Professor D. Ulziibayar (1998–2003)
– Associate Professor L. Otgonbayar (2003–2005)
– Professor L. Nasantsengel (2010–2014)
We take pride in our distinguished members, including Honored Doctors of Mongolia G. Tsagaankhuu, Sh. Dorjjadamba, and Honored Teacher of Mongolia S. Byambasuren.
Historical Path of the Department
Although Mongolia’s Mental Health Service was founded in 1929, formal training of national specialists had not yet begun. During this time, monks and nurses provided mental health care to the population. The Specialized Psychiatric Hospital relied on doctors and nurses from the USSR to deliver professional care in its early years. The historical development of Mongolia’s Mental Health Service and the Mental Health Department is thus closely tied to Soviet collaboration and support. Since 2005, the Department of Mental Health has started operating independently.
Mission
The department aims to provide students with evidence-based knowledge, practical skills, and attitudes regarding the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of common mental disorders. The training also emphasizes the legal framework for delivering mental health care at the primary health care level. Currently, the Department of Mental Health conducts training, research, and clinical activities with a team of five faculty members.
Programs
Undergraduate Training
We offer the following programs:
– Mental Health curriculum for medical doctors (subject index: PSY-M51)
– Child and Adolescent Mental Health Curriculum
–  Training of Practicing Doctors  in Mental Health
–  Elective Curriculum in Mental Health  for medical students
–  Mental Health Curriculum for Traditional Medicine
–  Social Mental Health  curriculum for medical social workers
–  Mental Health Curriculum for Public Health
–  Psychiatric and Mental Health  curriculum for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery students
Postgraduate Training
The department offers:
– Residency training for psychiatrists
– Doctoral training (PSC-F22)
– Specialized training courses, including child adolescent psychiatrist, forensic psychiatry, psychotherapy, and addictology
– Professional seminars, part-time training, and clinical consultations
Research
Priority Areas:
– Clinical studies of common mental disorders
– Mental and behavioural disorders in children and adolescents
– Addiction studies
– Epidemiology of mental disorders
– Collaborative research with other clinical disciplines
International Collaboration
The department collaborates with:
– Utrecht University of Applied Sciences (Netherlands)
– Center for Psychological Development and Support at Nagoya University (Japan)
Ongoing Projects
–  Prevalence of Suicide and Suicide Attempts in Mongolia (2003–2008)
–  Mental Health of Erdenet Factory Workers (2011–2012)
–  Prevalence of Common Mental Disorders in Mongolia (2011–2014)
– Collaborative projects with the National Defense University, UNICEF, Save the Children, and others
– Prevalence of developmental disorder in Mongolian Elementary school Students (2022-ongoing)

Department Structure
Khishigsuren Zuunnast, MD , PhD
–  Position: Professor, Consultant degree Psychiatrist, Head of Department
–  Research Interests: Child abuse, schizophrenia, drug addiction, suicide prevention, and mental health in nursing
–  Collaborations: WHO, Ministry of Health, ERASMUS
– Other positions: Consultant Psychiatrist at the National Center For Mental Health

Oyunsuren Davaasuren, MD, PhD
–  Position: Assistant Professor, Leading Degree Psychiatrist
–  Research Interests: Child and adolescent mental health, psychological trauma, addiction, and disaster-related mental health issues
– Other positions: Psychotherapist in Mongolian Japan Training Hospital

Baasandorj Bayarmagnai ,MD, MMSc
– Position: Trainee Lecturer
–  Research Interests: Child and adolescent mental health, Developmental Disorders, Forensic psychiatry, Psychopharmacology
– Other positions: EMP block 5 coordinator teacher, Psychiatrist Mongolian Japan Training Hospital, Student consultant centre
– Coordinator teacher of Mental Health Students Association

Bilguun Nyamdorj ,MD, MMSc
– Position: Trainee Lecturer
– Research Interests: Addictology, Sexpathology
– Other Positions: Psychiatrist Mongolian Japan Training Hospital, Student Consultant Centre psychiatrist

Khongorzul Erdenebayar ,MD, MMSc
– Position: Trainee Lecturer
–  Research Interests: Child and adolescent mental health, Forensic psychiatry
– Other Positions: Psychiatrist Mongolian Japan Training Hospital, Student Consultant Centre psychiatrist
.