Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Resources

A collection of resources curated for psychiatric-mental health nurses: From toolkits to graduate school listings, the APNA Resource Center is your first access point for information on topics across the spectrum of psychiatric-mental health nursing.

Scroll down to browse through the resources, filter the resource library down to a specific topic by selecting one of the topics, or simply use the search bar to search by keyword.

APNA Resource Library

APNA Position Papers

White papers that advance PMH nursing by discussing topics of vital interest to the profession and advocating for solutions or potential paths to address concerns.

APNA Issue Statements & Reports

APNA publications addressing issues of important to PMH nurses, including nurse well-being, workforce, DEI, workplace violence, and more.

APNA Essentials of Caring for Persons Who Are Diagnosed with Personality Disorders

Recovery-based resource to assist nurses in caring for those who meet the criteria for a personality disorder diagnosis, as well as help nurses avoid judgment and decrease stigma. Created

Sexual & Gender Minority

APNA Care of Sexual & Gender Minority Individuals Info & Resources

An overview of disparities, care considerations, and available resources to support care of this population.

EducationPMH-APRN

APNA Guidance Regarding Precepting and Mentorship

The American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) receives periodic inquiries seeking advice on the procurement of preceptors and mentors, as well as what role APNA plays in the process. Below is

EducationGraduate

APNA Graduate Education Faculty Toolkit

Organized by the domains of the AACN Essentials (2021), this toolkit provides in-depth resources, best practices, and key insights to help faculty foster critical thinking and advanced skills in

APNA Ketamine Infusion Therapy Treatment Considerations

Over several decades, research has shown that ketamine has antidepressive properties. Ketamine is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the induction and maintenance of anesthesia,

SafetySafe Environments

APNA Key Components of Safety

A collection of resources selected by the APNA Council for Safe Environments to help psychiatric-mental health nurses define safe environments, identify their key components, and implement strategies within their

APNA Mental Health Advocacy Toolkit

Adapted from Neuroscience Nurses AANN Advocacy Toolkit (2014) As trusted healthcare professionals, your voice is important in influencing and empowering the members of Congress from your state. Without your expertise

Substance UseTobacco & Nicotine

APNA Nursing Competencies for Treating Tobacco Use Disorders

TUD competencies that are consistent with the nursing scope of practice.

Criminal Justice System

APNA Persons with SMI In the Criminal Justice System Resources

Provides an overview of the issue, current practices and recommendations, transitioning from incarceration to the community, and recommendations for incarceration alternatives.

PracticeSuicide Prevention

APNA Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Essential Competencies for Assessment and Management of Individuals at Risk for Suicide

These 9 APNA competencies outline the role of the PMH nurse specific to suicide prevention, which includes both systems and patient level interventions.

Substance UsePractice

APNA SBIRT Pocket Card for Nurses

From APNA and Opioid Response Network - Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) Pocket Card for nurses. Share with your nursing colleagues!

APNA Seclusion and Restraint Standards of Practice

APNA professional standards of practice related to the use of seclusion and restraint.

APNA Self Care Tips for Nurses

A booklet of tips collected from psychiatric-mental health nurses for practicing self care as a nurse.

Telemental Health

APNA Telemental Health Toolkit

This toolkit offers telemental health pearls and resources around national policy considerations; issues of equity, inclusion, and access; measuring outcomes; logistical concerns; and education strategies.

EducationUndergraduate

APNA Undergraduate Education Faculty Toolkit

For nursing faculty looking for ways to engage students via virtual learning, this toolkit offers a wide array of resources, worksheets, and activities that will help nurse educators provide students

APNA Workforce Reports

APNA reports on the psychiatric-mental health nursing workforce, based on its national survey data.

Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (JAPNA)

A bi-monthly peer-reviewed journal that publishes scholarship that contributes both to knowledge development and continuum of care, from mental health promotion and mental illness prevention, to psychiatric treatment

PMH Nurse-Vetted Resources from a Variety of Sources

SafetySuicide Prevention

APNA Position: Youth Suicide Prevention

PMH nurses at all levels of practice can reduce suicide mortality by intervening with children, adolescents, and families across levels of care.

SafetySuicide Prevention

AAP Blueprint for Youth Suicide Prevention

American Academy of Pediatrics and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention resource to support health professionals in identifying strategies and key partnerships to support youth at risk for suicide. Endorsed by

RecoverySuicide

Words Matter: Recovery-Oriented Language

Mental Health Coordinating Council guide to recovery-oriented language in mental health and human services.

PracticeSuicide

Words Matter: Suicide Language Guide

Guide from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) on how to talk about suicide in a hopeful, respectful way.

Children & AdolescentsSuicide Prevention

Ask Suicide-Screening Questions (ASQ)

Provides a link to the Ask Suicide –Screening Questions (ASQ) toolkit. The ASQ can be used for adolescents and adults:

Children & AdolescentsSuicide Prevention

Child Version: Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)

Provides a link to the Child version of Columbia –Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS):

Children & AdolescentsSuicide Prevention

The Suicide Prevention Resources Center

The Suicide Prevention Resources Center provides resources for schools to prevent youth suicides.

Children & AdolescentsSuicide Prevention

The Foundation for Suicide Prevention

The Foundation for Suicide Prevention offers resources for schools including suicide prevention in the school, resources for schools following a suicide, and More than Sad program to recognize signs of

Children & AdolescentsSuicide Prevention

SAVE: Suicide Awareness Voices of Education

SAVE website offers resources in the areas of Public Awareness, Education, research and support.

ResearchSuicide Prevention

Improving Suicide Prevention Through Evidence-based Strategies: A Systematic Review

Mann, J. J., Michel, C. A., & Auerbach, R. P. (2021). Improving suicide prevention through evidence-based strategies: A systematic review. American Journal of Psychiatry, 178(7), 611–624. Provides

PolicySuicide Prevention

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, State Laws

Provides state laws in suicide prevention in schools (K-12)

ResearchSuicide Prevention

Association of Timely Outpatient Mental Health Services for Youths After Psychiatric Hospitalization With Risk of Death By Suicide

Fontanella, C., Warner, L., Steelesmith, D. (2020). Association of timely outpatient mental health services for youths after psychiatric hospitalization with risk of death by suicide. JAMA Netw Open. 3(8).