New University Of California Program Will Double Pipeline Of Specialized Mental Health Professionals

With California facing an urgent and growing shortage of mental health professionals, three schools of nursing within the University of California system (UCSF, UC Davis, and UCLA) announced the launch of a new online certificate program that will prepare 300 psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) by 2025. Along with psychiatrists, PMHNPs are specialized mental health professionals authorized to prescribe psychotropic medications, treat severe mental illness and addiction disorders, and offer psychiatric care.

The program is being launched at a time when a shortage of mental health professionals has become widespread across California: Over 50% of people with mental illness . . .