A thank you note for care excellence
APNA President Joyce Shea celebrates how psychiatric-mental health nurses collaborate for Nurses Month and Mental Health Awareness Month. Find out why you’re so good at it!

Reclaim the joy of healing
APNA Member Bethanie Simmons-Becil shares how intentional presence and mindfulness can benefit both you and your patients! Get practical tips for your practice

Mind the gap: Fresh insights into the PMH nursing workforce
PMH nursing workforce expert Kathleen Delaney reveals how critical data gaps impact PMH nursing and how better workforce data will drive change. See the insider info  

“We don’t just support mental health — we transform lives.”
Paula M. Bird, Chair of the APNA Council for Mental Health Advocacy, explains the vital importance of mental health advocacy for PMH nurses and how it promotes care of self and those you serve. Amplify my voice 

The May/June episode of the Nursing Isn't Easy podcast addresses a critical and often silent crisis: suicide prevention. How can nurses recognize the warning signs and respond effectively? Join the editor of Nursing Made Incredibly Easy and Joyce Shea, President of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, as they explore how to equip nurses with the tools, training, and confidence to support patients at risk. Listen to the podcast

FDA has granted 510(k) clearance to the first blood test to aid in diagnosing Alzheimer’s Disease. The Lumipulse G pTau217/Beta-Amyloid 1-42 Plasma Ratio from Fujirebio Diagnostics, Inc. is for the early detection of amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer's in adults aged 55 years and older who show signs and symptoms of the disease. Full story

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced the availability of approximately $52.5 million in grants for community-based organizations that provide suicide prevention or emergency clinical services to veterans at risk of suicide. Grant applications are due by 4:59 p.m. Eastern on July 18, and the VA will choose awardees by Sept. 30. Full story

Mental health and substance use disorders in older adults are frequently underdiagnosed and underserved. In recent podcast, Zaira Khalid, M.D., senior staff geriatric psychiatrist at Henry Ford Behavioral Health Hospital, discusses the unique physical, emotional, and social needs of patients over 65, the hospital's compassionate and multi-disciplinary approach to whole-person care, and how to recognize the silent struggles of older loved ones and provide support. Listen to the podcast

The Alzheimer’s Association released the 2025 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, a comprehensive compilation of national statistics and information on Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias. The report conveys the impact of Alzheimer’s on individuals, families, government and the nation’s health care system. Access the report

There were 30,000 fewer U.S. drug overdose deaths in 2024 than the year before, the largest one-year decline ever recorded. An estimated 80,000 people died from overdoses last year, according to provisional Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. Full story

U.S. Senators Chris Coons and John Barrasso introduced the Expanding Seniors Access to Mental Health Services Act. The bill would improve Medicare beneficiaries’ access to licensed clinical social workers. By providing these mental health professionals with the opportunity to participate in the Medicare program when delivering services in skilled nursing facilities, this bill expands the number of mental health providers available to seniors. Full story

Lawmakers have introduced legislation to address escalating incidences of violence against healthcare workers by establishing federal criminal penalties for assaulting hospital employees. The bipartisan Save Healthcare Workers Act (S.1600) would help deter and prevent violence against healthcare workers by authorizing federal tools to prosecute individuals who incite violence against hospital employees. The legislation would establish fines and an up to 10-year federal prison term sentence for persons convicted of assaulting hospital personnel, with increased penalties for aggregating circumstances such as the use of deadly or dangerous weapons or infliction of bodily harm. Full story

The National Alliance on Mental Illness released a new publication, Trends in Access to Mental Health Care State Policy. This issue brief provides policy recommendations and highlights of successful state legislation from 2024 to increase access to mental health care. Access the publication

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.