How PAs and mental health NPs are changing the mental healthcare landscape

• The US faces a shortage of mental healthcare practitioners; consequently, patients are working with mental health nurse practitioners (MHNPs) and PAs in increasing numbers.

• Each type of provider has a different scope of practice and may be limited in what and how they can prescribe.

• Clinicians can familiarize themselves with this trend and learn how to navigate these emerging care navigation dynamics.

The US healthcare system is in the midst of a serious mental healthcare provider shortage. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, the US was only meeting 27.2% of its total mental healthcare need as of September 2022.^[1]

This gap is particularly acute...