The critical role that mental health has not only in emotional well-being but also in physical health makes the role of a mental health nurse important. The role is especially valuable as the nation faces a host of mental health concerns and a shortage of professionals to treat them.
Mental Health Challenges
The 2020 Commonwealth Fund study raised concerns about increases in mental health problems due to increases in the frequency of domestic violence and drug use during the pandemic. NBC News confirmed that most police departments that it contacted at the onset of the pandemic reported increases in domestic violence calls. Additionally, a 2022 report in the Journal of Urban Health found a significant increase in opioid overdose deaths during the pandemic.
In 2022, the KFF/CNN survey showed that a third of adults reported always or often feeling anxious. Twenty-one percent reported always or often feeling depressed. In addition to current events, finances were among the stressors that exacerbated anxiety and depression.
WebMD notes that the issues with mental health can also have an effect on physical health. It links depression and chronic disease, for example, and reports an increased mortality rate for individuals who have mental health issues.
Mental Healthcare Shortages
Individuals with mental health conditions are also more likely to have problems accessing care. In October 2022, 157 million Americans lived in mental health professional shortage areas (HPSAs), according to the Health Resources & Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
Experts believe that mental health nurses can play a critical role in addressing the unmet need for care. For example, in 2021, the Psychiatric Times encouraged psychiatrists and PHMNPs to work together to fill the gaps.
Why Become a Mental Health Nurse?
Whether it’s as a mental health RN or a PMHNP, the benefits of becoming a mental health nurse are many. The career offers the opportunity to make a difference in addressing the mental health challenges that plague individuals, households and communities. It also presents strong growth and salary potential, particularly for nursing professionals seeking to become PMHNPs.
Addressing Mental Healthcare Needs
The mental health nurse role can provide the satisfaction of helping individuals improve their lives. In areas with a shortage of mental health resources, the job offers the additional benefit of assisting communities as they work to meet their citizens’ needs.
Pursuing an In-Demand Career
Because of the many mental health challenges facing Americans, APNA indicates that nurses who specialize in this area will benefit from rising demand. A 2019 APNA report outlined major deficits in access to mental health care throughout the U.S., particularly in rural areas and minority populations. It argued that PMHNPs are positioned to play a critical role in meeting this demand — but that many more of them will be needed to do so.
Overall, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 112,700 additional jobs for NPs between 2021 and 2031, representing an extremely rapid growth rate of 46%.
Seeking Strong Salary Potential
RNs and NPs also command higher-than-average median annual salaries. The median annual salary for all occupations was $45,760 in May 2021, according to the BLS. For RNs, it was $77,600 and for NPs, $120,680.