Georgia Mental Health Institute

GMHI Foundations

Established in 1965 as a collaborative effort between the State of Georgia and Emory University, the facility known as Georgia Mental Health Institute served as the state’s foremost training and research hub. This visionary institution aimed to pioneer cutting-edge treatment methods, foster research endeavors, and provide comprehensive training to mental health experts. Its prominence within the region solidified its status as an institution for psychiatric care and education. GMHI sought to transform the landscape of mental health treatment and combat the stigma associated with mental illness.

During its inception, the institute focused its research efforts on four key domains: sleep, social science, human behavior patterns, and human genetics. Additionally, the hospital established a comprehensive training program designed to assist resident doctors in attaining certification as psychiatrists. On average, GMHI aimed to train approximately 45 aspiring psychiatrists each year, equipping them with the necessary skills to serve in various healthcare institutions across the state, including Central State Hospital and the recently opened Regional State Hospitals.

Facing escalating expenses, the State of Georgia considered shutting down the hospital. Fallowing to its closure in 1997, Emory University acquired the hospital and its 42-acre campus from the state, initially with intentions to develop it into a biotech center. During the construction phase, Emory demolished some the existing structures on the property and constructed a library service center for storage. However, Plans for the second campus were scaled back after faculty expressed a desire to remain at the main campus and Emory decided to abandon its biotech laboratory project. in 2022 Emory University, unveiled plans to demolish the remaining structures known as Buildings A and B.

Historic Campus

GMHI was situated on the Briarcliff Estate, originally owned by Asa G. Candler, Jr., the son of Coca-Cola’s founder. Constructed in 1922, the estate spanned 42 acres and boasted a stunning Georgian Revival façade. In 1948, the Candler family sold the property to the General Services Administration. The estate became home to the Georgian Clinic, Georgia’s First alcohol treatment facility, which commenced operations in 1953. The clinic operated until the late 1950s, when it was closed due to financial constraints.

In Film

GMHI boasts a campus that has been viewed by countless film and television enthusiasts. In its most renowned portrayal, Netflix’s “Stranger Things” selected the campus as the backdrop for the Hawkins National Laboratory. The show’s production extensively utilized Building A, including the Main Lobby, Laboratory, Theater, Morgue, Offices and the intricate network of tunnels beneath the campus.

Furthermore, GMHI played a significant role as a stand-in for a mental hospital in another Netflix hit series, “Ozark.”

 

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