Psychiatry and Mental Health
AANP Resources by Therapeutic Area
Continuing Education Courses
The AANP CE Center offers a wide variety of continuing education (CE) activities for nurse practitioners (NPs). Members of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP) get more, including access to many free activities and significantly discounted rates on others. The AANP CE Center hosts several CE activities covering multiple aspects of psychiatry and mental health.
JAANP Resource Center
Find evidence-based articles, up-to-date guidelines and other resources about mental health, psychology and psychiatry at this resource center, brought to you by the Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (JAANP).
NP Tools and Resources
AANP-Developed Resources to Support NPs in Treating Your Patients
- Practice Brief: Practice Parameter for the Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder.
- Practice Brief: Primary Care Diagnosis and Management of Adults With Depression.
Major Depressive Disorder Video
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most common mental disorders diagnosed in the U.S., with an estimated 16% of adults experiencing MDD at some point during their lifetime. According to the American Medical Association, chronic depression is often untreated and, on average, patients with depression receive the recommended quality of care only 58% of the time. This video shows a psychiatric mental health NP (PMHNP) interviewing a simulated patient with MDD. The PMHNP and patient actor work through screening and diagnosis, use of PHQ9 results to develop a treatment plan and follow-up while demonstrating motivational interviewing techniques.
Patient Education Tools and Resources
Breaking the Cycle of Opioid Use Disorder
This handout is designed to support NPs working with patients who will or currently are receiving treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD). During shared clinical decision-making, the tool can guide the patient education on how the medications are used to treat OUD work and their common side effects. This handout provides a way for patients to take an active role in their recovery by utilizing journaling of their treatment goals, triggers and positive coping skills.
This activity is supported by Indivor Inc.
Major Depressive Disorder: What You Need to Know
This visually engaging educational handout is designed to support NPs as they engage in shared decision-making conversations with their patients about MDD. The handout provides information about MDD symptoms, risk factors, self-help strategies, medications and available resources.
Supported by an educational grant from Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.
AANP Community
Engage, Learn, Network and Progress Practice in Psych and Mental Health
The Psych and Mental Health Specialty Practice Group (SPG) offers a unique opportunity to interactively collaborate with colleagues who share an interest or clinical expertise in mental health. As an SPG member, you’ll have access to a cutting-edge, online forum where you can engage in discussions, document sharing and knowledge exchange with fellow NPs. Come learn, share and help progress the development of theory and practice in mental health.
External Resources
Conveniently Curated Information From Other Top Sources
There are many resources available for both patients and providers. Some are listed below for your convenience. The inclusion of these links does not imply AANP endorsement.