THE MISSION OF THE LIR
Stressors such as traumatic events, stressful conditions in private or professional life or physical illnesses, but also the everyday experience of stress and social crisis situations such as war or pandemics, can contribute significantly to the development of many mental disorders such as depression, Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or anxiety. It is estimated that about 30% of all German citizens, both male and female, develop a mental disorder every year. Therefore, promoting mental health during and after stressful life events takes on a particular importance.
“We are working to understand resilience, prevent stress-induced mental illness, and provide knowledge, thus maintaining and improving public health despite changing working and living conditions.”
In addition to research work to understand the mechanisms of resilience and the development of interventions of resilience promotion, LIR’s mission also includes the transfer of knowledge to society. In line with the motto “theoria cum praxi”, we make our scientific findings available to the public in the form of lectures, workshops, training and advisory services.
RESEARCH AT THE LIR
At the Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research, neuroscientists, doctors and psychologists work together in an interdisciplinary manner. They combine basic molecular research and human research using genetic, epigenetic, metabolic, physiological, psychological and social science methods. The LIR currently comprises ten research groups. Special competencies exist in the fields of molecular biology, epigenetics and cellular neurosciences, namely functional imaging, neurostimulation, and conducting randomized controlled studies, systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Furthermore, three research platforms have been established, the services of which are also made available to cooperation partners for a fee. 
