According to the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI), 23.4% of adults in the U.S. experienced mental illness in 2024, or about 1 in 5 adults. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to reduce stigma and check in with our friends and loved ones who may be struggling. It’s also an important time to promote options for receiving help.
How do PAs Treat Mental Health?
- Medication Management: PAs prescribe medications to treat a variety of mental health disorders. From Family Medicine to Emergency Medicine and beyond, a PA can help patients access medication to manage their mental health.
- Clinical Care: Regardless of specialty, all PAs are trained to screen and diagnose mental health disorders, assess patient risk, and determine follow-up.
- Specialized Care: PAs may specialize in areas such as psychiatry or addiction medicine in order to meet patient care needs.
In Minnesota, all PAs must abide by state licensure standards. Specialized training may be required for PAs to treat severe Mental Illness.
How to access care?
Mental health struggles can feel overwhelming and isolating. However, it’s important to remember there are health care providers who will partner with you to help you feel better. If you or a loved one is struggling, a primary care provider may be a good place to start. Whether they are a physician, PA, or Nurse Practitioner, they can work with you to create a treatment plan.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call 988 to reach the National Sucide and Crisis Lifeline.