APNA Releases New Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Issue Brief to Underscore Key Applications to PMH Nursing Practice

In support of the ongoing work of the organization’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts, the APNA Board of Directors requested the development of a new Issue Brief to further detail how diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to any solution to address health disparities and critical to advancing whole health.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are values deeply rooted within PMH nursing. A core purpose of APNA, as outlined in our bylaws, is to “improve mental health care for culturally diverse individuals, families, groups, and communities, and shape health policy for the delivery of mental health services.” And, according to our scope and stan-dards of practice, psychiatric-mental health (PMH) nurses have a “central role in advocating for environments where the human rights, values, customs, and spiritual beliefs of individuals, families, and communities are respected.”

As the unifying voice for PMH nursing, APNA provides ongoing training and resources to help members reflect and refresh their understanding. This APNA DEI Issue Brief is a helpful tool to demonstrate and emphasize the central role DEI plays in all aspects of our work.

To inform the development of this issue brief, members of the APNA DEI Advisory Committee were consulted and interviewed. Additional research was conducted to review published literature and recent presentations in this area.

Download and review the new APNA DEI Issue Brief

Published May, 2024