An APNA expert weighs in on the new federal guidelines for OTP
Matt Tierney shares his insights on the Federal Guidelines for Opioid Treatment Programs (2024) released earlier this month. What might these new guidelines address and overcome?

Save the date - APNA 23rd Annual Clinical Psychopharmacology Institute
The event planned for nurses, by nurses for more than 20 years will be held June 5-8, 2025 in Rockville, MD or virtual. Learn more and see the speakers booked for 2025

APNA Updated Position: Psychotherapy and the Scope of the Psychiatric-Mental Health Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Role
Psychotherapy is key to providing care and vital to PMH-APRN practice. This updated position reviews the importance of didactic content and supervised clinical training in psychotherapy for PMHNP programs and continuing education in psychotherapy for practicing PMH-APRNs. Use it support requests for continuing education and more.

Seven in 10 adults in the U.S. would prefer to be asked about both their physical and mental health during medical appointments with primary care providers (PCPs), according to the results of a recent survey, reported HealthDay. Full Story

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced the release of resources intended to help communities address the trauma and mental health impacts of gun violence. One of the resources, Behavioral Health Best Practice Resources for Addressing Trauma and Violence, includes best practices on understanding, coping, and addressing trauma and behavioral health needs in the aftermath of violence. Full Story

Brief cognitive behavioral therapy (BCBT) even when delivered remotely via video telehealth effectively reduces suicide attempts among high-risk adults, according to a recent study. Participants receiving BCBT had a 41% reduced risk for suicide attempts compared with those receiving present-centered therapy (PCT), reported MedScape. Full Story

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced that it will fund a study on MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD and alcohol use disorder among veterans. This is the first VA-funded study for psychedelic-assisted therapy since the 1960s. Full Story

The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) has identified five key health trends that will impact the health care system in the coming years. Among them are mental health integration into primary care and NPs treating patients with substance use disorders. Full Story

The bipartisan BOLD Reauthorization Act, legislation which will enable public health departments to implement effective dementia interventions, has been signed into law. The bill, which passed unanimously out of Congress, will reauthorize the Building Our Largest Dementia (BOLD) Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act (P.L.115-406). Full Story

In New York a new proposal called the H.E.L.P. Act would allow not just doctors to involuntarily commit people, but also psychiatric-mental health advanced practice nurses, psychologists, and even some social workers, reported MSN. Full Story

The Michigan Senate unanimously passed several bills aimed at improving mental health treatment for individuals involved in the criminal justice system. The bills are designed to divert individuals with mental health issues from jail and into treatment programs. Full Story

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) published an updated Practice Guideline for Treatment of Patients with Borderline Personality Disorder. The guideline provides recommendations on evidence-based assessment, treatment planning, and psychosocial interventions and pharmacotherapy treatments. 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.