The National Institute for the Mentally Handicapped (NIMH) is situated in Secunderabad and it was founded in the year of 1984. The institute was established as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India. The vision of the NIMH is that the quality of life of every person with mental retardation is equal to other citizens in the country. The NIMH also believes that every mentally retarded person should live independently to the maximum extent possible. The NIMH has been trying continuously to empower the persons with mental retardation to access the state-of-the-art rehabilitation intervention viz., educational, therapeutic, vocational, employment, leisure and social, sports, cultural programmes and full participation, through constant professional endeavours.

The National Institute for the Mentally Handicapped (NIMH), Secunderabad always values equal opportunity, protection of rights and full participation for the persons, having mental retardation. The institute has the strong belief that everybody should participate with the disabilities, parents, professionals, employees and other stake holders in the rehabilitation programmes that are client focused. There are a number of objectives for which the NIMH has been working constantly and the objectives include Human Resources Development, Research and Development, Development of models of care and rehabilitation, Consultancy services to voluntary organisations, Documentation and dissemination, and Extension and Outreach programmes.

The National Institute for the Mentally Handicapped (NIMH) has a number of supporting centers in all over India, the Headquarter of the organisation being in Secunderabad. The NIMH has some departments in Medical Sciences, Rehabilitation Psychology, Special Education, Adult Independent Living, Library and Information Services and in Community Rehabilitation and Project Management. Apart from that the NIMH has some Special Education Centre, Family Cottages for home training and a few Regional Centres in New Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. The NIMH Model Special Education Centre is situated in New Delhi. The NIMH also runs some Supported Teacher Training Centres and Affiliated Teacher Training Centres, apart from conducting the NIMH-I Extension Programme District Disability Rehabilitation Centres. There is a Composite Regional Centre for Persons with Disabilities, situated in Bhopal, run by NIMH, as well.

There are 9 different long term programmes (RC Recognized) offered by the National Institute for the Mentally Handicapped (NIMH), Secunderabad, out of which 6 are affiliated to 4 different universities. The programmes include Diploma in Special Education (MR), Diploma in Vocational Training & Employment (MR), Diploma in Early Childhood SpI. Education (MR), Bachelor in Rehabilitation Services (MR) /Bachelor in Rehabilitation Therapy (MR), B. Ed. Special Education (MR), PG Diploma in Early Intervention, M.Ed. Special Education (MR), Masters in Disability Rehabilitation Administration, M.Phil. in Rehabilitation Psychology, and some short term Continuous rehabilitation education programmes. The NIMH regularly conducts International and national conferences, seminars and workshops, as well. The National Institute for Mentally Handicapped (NIMH), Secunderabad also has collaboration with some of the eminent international organisations like USAID, UNICEF, UNDP, WHO, US India Rupee Fund (Indo-US S&T Forum).

The National Institute for Mentally Handicapped (NIMH), Secunderabad offers some special service models based HRD practicals and the models include Early intervention services, Early childhood education, Special education services, Vocational training, Placement services, Urban slum services for persons with mental retardation, Rural rehabilitation services, Parent movement as SHG, Family cottage services, Medical services, Genetic counselling, Physiotherapy, Occupational therapy, Speech pathology and audiology, Behaviour modification services, Guidance and counselling services, Documentation and dissemination, Multiple disabilities, Community rehabilitation, Project manage and Public awareness.