Understanding the Impact of Psychiatry APPs in Modern Mental Health
- State of mental health care in the United States:
- >75% of U.S. counties report a severe shortage of mental health providers [1]
- As of 2020, less than half of Americans in need of mental health care were able to receive necessary care [1]
- Approximately 35,000 NPs work in mental health, many of whom received specialized training as psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNP); more than 200 PMHNP academic programs exist in the U.S. [1]
- Approximately 2,500 PAs work in psychiatry, which account for 2.2% of all PAs in clinical practice [2]
- A majority of psychiatry NPs (~70%) provide psychotherapy services in combination with medication management [1]
- The most common disorders treated by psychiatry PAs are depressive, bipolar, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, trauma-related, stress-related, substance abuse, and addictive disorders [3]
- Research demonstrates that psychiatry APPs are helping expand patient access to mental and behavioral health care across the U.S. [4]
A big thank you to mental health NPs and PAs!
***Interested APPs should check out:
Association of PAs in Psychiatry
National Association of Psychiatry Mental Health Nurse Practitioners
References
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses are Key to Addressing the Nation’s Mental Health Crisis. Published 2022. Accessed April 4, 2024.
omsapaprod.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/APNA-Report-Psychiatric-Mental-Health-Nurses-Key-to-Addressing-Nations-Mental-Health-Crisis-12.2022.pdf - Statistical Profile of Board Certified PAs by Specialty. NCCPA. Published 2023. Accessed April 2, 2024.
www.nccpa.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Q2-Specialty-8_4_23.pdf - Mauldin SG, Morton-Rias D, Barnhill GC, Kozikowski A, Hooker RS. The role of PAs in providing mental health care. JAAPA. 2020;33(12):34-41. doi:10.1097/01.JAA.0000694988.35913.1a
www.nccpa.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/The_role_of_PAs_in_providing_mental_health_care.8.pdf - Heath S. Advanced practice providers extend patient access to mental healthcare. TechTarget: Xtelligent Healthcare. Published September 07, 2022. Accessed April 2, 2024. patientengagementhit.com/news/advanced-practice-providers-extend-patient-access-to-mental-healthcare
