Guest Author
America’s mental health system is stretched to its limits. Rising rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation make it clear that we are in the midst of a crisis — one that is devastating communities and straining an already overburdened healthcare system.
As a physician, I have seen the heartbreaking consequences of our state’s mental health crisis. Patients wait months for an appointment, are forced to seek emergency care when their conditions spiral, further overloading ER departments, or — far too often — simply go without the help they need.
Floridians in particular face an uphill battle when trying to access mental health care. According to Mental Health America, Florida ranks 11th in prevalence of mental illness but 40th in access to care, leaving 58% of those struggling with a mental health condition untreated. Nearly a quarter of adults experiencing anxiety or depression report needing therapy but are unable to access it.
The demand for mental health services has never been higher, yet the number of available providers remains far too low. Florida needs more hands on deck, and the solution is right in front of us.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) are highly trained specialists in mental and behavioral health, with advanced degrees and clinical expertise. They are more than ready to provide safe, high-quality care to Floridians struggling with mental illness. Yet, due to restrictions in Florida’s Nurse Practice Act, they are barred from practicing independently.
Even more odd is that Florida already allows ‘primary care’ nurse practitioners to practice independently — including the ability to provide mental health treatment. In other words, psychiatric nurses who are specifically trained in mental health are blocked from delivering the very care they are most qualified to provide.
This does not make sense. We have skilled professionals ready to step up, but arbitrary restrictions are keeping them on the sidelines.
Some providers see expanded practice authority for PMHNPs as a replacement for doctors. I see it as a lifeline for patients. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation’s analysis of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services data, the state needs more than 500 new providers to meet existing needs. In other words, the health system severely lacks the clinical personnel to serve its sole purpose — caring for people.
Granting full practice authority to psychiatric nurses isn’t just good for patients. It’s also fiscally responsible. Studies show that when APRNs are allowed to practice to the full extent of their training, health care costs decrease, and access improves. Florida could save millions of dollars annually by reducing unnecessary ER visits and treatment delays.
The Florida Legislature has already made mental health a priority, approving a historic $2.5 billion investment in expanding services. But money alone won’t fix this crisis if we don’t have enough providers to deliver care. The fastest, most effective way to increase access is to let Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners do what they have been trained to do.
That’s why I’m encouraged to see lawmakers acting through HB 883 and SB 758, legislation that grants full practice authority to psychiatric nurse practitioners.
This legislation represents a critical step toward closing Florida’s mental health access gap, and I commend Sen. Corey Simon and Rep. Jason Shoaf for their leadership in sponsoring this much-needed policy. Now that the Florida House has passed HB 883 with supermajority support, I urge our state’s leaders to send this language to the Governor’s desk as we near the end of Session.
Twenty-seven states have already embraced this common-sense reform and our service members and veterans across the country have been treated by autonomous PMHNPs through the military and VA health systems for years. It’s time for Florida to do the same. Patients can’t afford to wait. Let’s unlock the full potential of our mental health workforce and ensure that everyone who needs care can get it.
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Dr. Alicia Sanchez is a licensed physician in Florida.
