2024 APNA Research Grant Recipients
Since 2008, the APNA Research Grants program has aided scientific research and contributions which add to the knowledge and practice of psychiatric-mental health nursing. Learn about the 2024 Research Grant Recipients

Session Highlight! Learn inclusive, universal practices at the APNA Annual Conference
Don’t miss the APNA Annual Conference pre-conferences on Wednesday!  For example, in Session 1016 Caring for Bodies Under Attack: Exploring the Impact of ‘Microaggressions’ on LGBTQ+ Patients and Examining Gender Privilege as a Means of Improving Care, you'll explore addressing microaggressions. “This presentation will assist PMH nurses in identifying privileged heteronormative and gender-normative microaggressions that stigmatize LGBTQ+ patients,” says presenter Lynz Schweiger, DNP. “I will use interactive and reflective exercises as a means of examining and deconstructing gender, as well as share universal practices that are inclusive of patients with LGBTQ+ identities.” Learn more and register today

Keep up-to-date with the latest edition of JAPNA
In the latest issue of the Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, discover the importance of early identification and treatment in the article “Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis: Macules, Papules, and Bullae.” And earn FREE CE, too

Start your nursing career off right
Navigating your first year as a nurse can be daunting, but these tips from NSO – which include making a commitment to continue learning – can help make it easier. Discover other tips for success

Be recognized in APNA Member News!
Received an award? Featured in an article? Or want to share another exciting achievement? Send your stories to APNA News

Don’t be left in the dust!
You can still register for the APNA 38th Annual Conference, coming up this October 9-12 in Louisville, KY or via virtual livestream. Sessions fill up fast, so don’t wait to secure your spot. Join your PMH nurse colleagues

New CDC data highlight improvements in mental health among some U.S. teens, including decreases in the percentage of students feeling persistently sad or hopeless (from 42% in 2021 to 40% in 2023). However, the report also highlights concerning increases in the percentage of teens reporting experiences of school-based violence and absenteeism due to safety concerns. Full Story

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released the results of the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), which shows how people living in U.S. reported their experience with mental health conditions, substance use, and pursuit of treatment. The report found, that among adults aged 18 or older in 2023, 22.8% (or 58.7 million people) had any mental illness (AMI) in the past year. Full Story

Mental Health America (MHA) released its annual State of Mental Health in America report, which ranks all 50 states and the District of Columbia based on 15 mental health access and prevalence measures. In this new report, using 2022 data, Massachusetts (1), Connecticut (2), and Maine (3) scored highest against a comprehensive range of well-being metrics. Meanwhile, Nevada (51), Arizona (50), and Montana (51) ranked the lowest. Full Story

In a recent study, a blood test was around 90% accurate in identifying Alzheimer’s disease in patients with cognitive symptoms seen in primary care and at specialized memory care clinics. Primary care physicians were 63% accurate and specialists were 73% accurate when not using the blood test. Full Story

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Zurnai, the first nalmefene hydrochloride auto-injector for the emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose in adults and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older. The agency approved the first nasal spray formulation of nalmefene in May 2023. Full Story

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has declined to approve a therapy based on the mind-altering drug MDMA for patients with post-traumatic stress disorder, stating it could not be approved based on the data submitted, reported Reuters. Commonly known as ecstasy or molly, MDMA has long been seen by advocates as a potential treatment for mental health disorders and to have therapeutic applications beyond its illicit use. Full Story

Automated text message reminders about a digital mental health platform helped decrease the symptoms of depression and anxiety among health care workers in a recent study from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. The nine-month clinical trial involved nearly 1,300 health care workers, including doctors, nurses, and technicians. A control group had open access to a web-based mental health platform, while an intervention group received platform access along with monthly reminder text messages on mental health and the availability of the platform. Overall, self-reported depression symptom scores improved roughly 11% at six months and more than 22% at nine months. For the intervention group, depression symptoms scores improved more than 20% after six months and 30% after nine months, reported Safety & Health Magazine. Full Story

On July 30, the Senate unanimously passed bipartisan legislation that will renew the nation’s commitment to addressing the Alzheimer’s crisis — the NAPA Reauthorization Act (S. 133 / H.R. 619) and the Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act (S. 134 / H.R. 620). Full Story

A recent Nurse.com article delves into how nurse abuse adversely affects retention and recruitment in healthcare and explores policies and strategies to create a safer, more supportive environment for the nursing workforce. 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.