In a nation already struggling with mental health issues, worrying signs abound about the future. According to Mental Health America (MHA), 21% — more than 50 million — of U.S. adults experienced mental illness from 2019 to 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing challenges, with the Commonwealth Fund issuing a warning in 2020 about the danger of long-term mental health concerns because of increasing domestic violence, opioid overdose and a lack of access to care. By October 2022, 90% of Americans believed that the U.S. was in a mental health crisis, according to a survey from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) and CNN. In fact, 51% of adults reported that their families experienced a severe mental health crisis. Mental health nurses are answering the call for assistance with these challenges. As the nation’s second-largest group of behavioral health professionals, according to the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA), mental health nurses and nurse practitioners (NPs) work in various settings to provide a broad range of care to individuals, families, groups and communities. Anyone interested in a nursing career that allows for helping to address the nation’s mental health concerns should learn about the role of a mental health nurse. These professionals typically are registered nurses (RNs) or advanced nursing professionals called psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs). Their nursing work addresses social and behavioral influences as well as the role of the nervous system in mental health.

What Does a Mental Health Nurse Do?

Mental health nurses focus on building therapeutic relationships to address psychiatric disorders in patients of all ages. They may often need to blend their understanding of the psychosocial and neurobiological components of mental health. In addition to supporting patients’ mental and physical health, they may support the loved ones of those patients. Mental health nurses also work to educate individuals, families, communities and healthcare professionals about the importance of mental health.

Mental Health Nurse Responsibilities

RNs who work in mental health rely on strong nursing skills as well as empathy, patience and a willingness to help as they handle a broad range of responsibilities. Among the duties that make up the role of a mental health nurse are:

• Promoting healthcare and health maintenance
• Conducting patient intake screening, evaluation and triage assessments
• Providing case management
• Educating patients and families about self-care
• Helping patients build coping skills
• Administering and monitoring psychobiological treatments
• Coordinating patient care
• Working with interdisciplinary teams
• Offering rehabilitation and intervention services
• Educating patients, families and communities