President’s Message: What Guides Us
Composed of a core ideology, core values, goals, and a long-term envisioned future, APNA’s Strategic Direction is what grounds the board’s decision-making process. Hear about the board’s review and update of the APNA Strategic Direction.

Member News
7 members made the news this month for their work. Find out more.

Power of Positivity: Lifesaving Perspective
APNA Recovery Council Chair Connie Noll shares an inspiring story and invites you to share yours, too: “By evoking gratitude and filling our cups with positive energy, the happy stories we tell ourselves enhance our well-being…” Keep reading to get inspired.

Judy Davidson on Nurse Suicide
A renowned expert in this area, Judy Davidson responds to a few questions for you in advance of her keynote presentation at the June APNA Clinical Psychopharmacology Institute. Hear from Judy Davidson.

Asked and Answered: APNA Member Survey
Every 3 years, the APNA Board of Directors asks members to share their thoughts on the organization with a 3-question survey. The results inform the board’s review and update of the APNA Strategic Direction. See the summary of what you shared.

Engage with Bright Minds in Psychopharmacology & Earn Up To 21.5 Pharmacology Contact Hours
Connect with colleagues in Reston, VA or virtually: Registration is open for the APNA 21st Annual Clinical Psychopharmacology Institute this June 8-11! Register by May 15 to save.

Raising Awareness of PMH Nurses’ Critical Role
A new story in HealthLeaders uses this APNA report to examine how PMH nurses are key to addressing the mental health and substance use crises. Read the story.

Career-Building Opportunities for Nursing Students Await
One-year APNA membership, a complimentary trip to the APNA 37th Annual Conference, access to mentoring and networking opportunities, and exposure to PMH nursing could be yours when you apply for the APNA Board of Directors Student Scholarship. Apply by April 4.

Proposals Wanted for Research Grants to Advance the Knowledge and Practice of PMH Nursing
Early-career PMH nurse investigators: Submit your proposal for an APNA Research Grant to help further your research and scholarship by May 16. Here's how to submit your proposal.

Apply to Receive Complimentary APNA Annual Conference Registration & More
Through the APNA Memorial Scholarship, APNA RN-level members can forge your own legacy, honor those who came before you, and pursue lifelong learning at the APNA Annual Conference.  Apply for the APNA Memorial Scholarship to this year's conference.

Diversity as a Solution to Health Inequities and Disparities
Explore this concept with President Zim Okoli in his latest Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association Board of Directors Column. Read the column.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released Overview of the Impacts of Long COVID on Behavioral Health. The report addresses the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on behavioral health, particularly the psychiatric symptoms linked with Long COVID, possible long-term implications, and prospective paths for recovery. Click here to access the report.

The REACH Institute and The Anxiety and Depression Association of America have partnered to create a free educational resource for pediatric primary care providers, parents, and caregivers to help with the identification and treatment of childhood anxiety disorders. Full Story

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), announced the availability of approximately $25 million to expand primary health care, including mental health services, in schools. For the first time, applicants will be required to add or expand mental health services to receive school-based funding. HRSA-funded health centers currently operate more than 3,400 school-based service sites in schools across the country. Full Story

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced the availability of $52.5 million in grants to community-based organizations that provide or coordinate suicide prevention services for Veterans and their families – including conducting Veteran mental health screenings, providing case management and peer support services, delivering emergency clinical services, reaching out to Veterans at risk of suicide and more. Full Story

Substance use disorders (SUDs), including alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, or opioids, appear to share a common genetic signature, suggest new findings that researchers say could eventually lead to universal therapies to treat multiple and comorbid addictions, reported MedScape. Full Story

The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Scholarship Program is accepting applications March 14 - April 27, 2023 at 7:30 pm ET. The program provides scholarships to health profession students pursuing careers as primary care providers in exchange for their commitment to serve in high-need, underserved communities. Click here to explore the benefits of the NHSC Scholarship Program

The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) is now accepting applications for three loan repayment programs. Each program has a different award level and varying eligibility:

• NHSC Loan Repayment Program provides up to $50,000 for a two-year service commitment. 
• NHSC Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Program provides up to $75,000 for a three-year service commitment. 
• NHSC Rural Community Loan Repayment Program provides up to $100,000 for a three-year service commitment. 

In addition to tax-free loan repayment, you receive a competitive salary, and a chance to have a significant impact on an underserved community. The application deadline is Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at 7:30 pm ET.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) released NAMI Say It Out Loud — a free virtual card game designed by young people, for young people — that is intended to prompt important conversations about life, relationships and mental health. The free game is best played on a mobile device. Full Story

Taking hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is linked to lower rates of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in people with rheumatoid arthritis, according to an international team of researchers led by National Institute on Aging (NIA) scientists. The study, published in Molecular Psychiatry, also included mouse and cell models to show that HCQ can improve early molecular signs of Alzheimer’s by reducing inflammation and enhancing the clearance of abnormal buildup of proteins that form amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Full Story

The U.S. House of Representatives introduced its companion bill of the bipartisan Comprehensive Care for Alzheimer's Act (S. 626 / H.R. 1637). This action follows the recent Senate introduction of this important bill, which will improve the way care is delivered for people living with Alzheimer’s disease. Full Story

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) issued proposed rules governing telemedicine prescribing of controlled substances when the practitioner and the patient have not had a prior in-person medical evaluation. These rules seek to extend telemedicine flexibilities beyond the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency by extending the PHE in-person exam waiver for 180 days after the PHE ends and by allowing for telemedicine prescriptions of controlled substances without an initial in-person exam under limited circumstances. Full Story

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), announced two funding opportunities for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) expansion, totaling $123.6 million. The CCBHC Planning, Development, and Implementation (CCBHC-PDI) grant aims to assist clinics to establish and implement new CCBHC programs, and the CCBHC Improvement and Advancement (CCBHC–IA) grant seeks to enhance and support existing CCBHCs that currently meet the CCBHC Certification Criteria. Full Story

Click here to see letters APNA has signed on to as a part of its participation in coalitions that further policy for nursing and mental health.

The American Psychiatric Nurses Association is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.