Pockets of Michigan have limited or no access to mental health providers, and a new pilot program aims to change that. The Wayne State University College of Nursing has received a $1.6 million grant from the state Department of Health and Human Services to educate more Mental Health and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners. Dr. Umeika Stephens, graduate specialty coordinator for the program and a Psychiatric NP herself, says it’s important to have providers that can assess patients’ mental health needs holistically.
“Our goal is to make sure that when patients are able to come in, that they’re able to see a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner – they’re able to see somebody who can not only do therapy, but also prescribe medication for them if they needed it.”
She adds while the need existed prior to the pandemic, these last couple years have exacerbated it, as many Michiganders experience grief from losing a loved one to COVID-19, or the related financial distress, isolation, depression or anxiety.
