American Psychiatric Nurses Association

As the nation’s shortage of mental health and substance use disorder professionals reached crisis levels, the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) sought to draw attention to the important role that psychiatric-mental health (PMH) registered nurses and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) can play in closing the gaps in mental health care. APNA engaged Westfourth to drive attention to this important profession.

The Westfourth team researched, drafted and designed a comprehensive report, “Expanding Mental Health Services in America: The Pivotal Role of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses,” to demonstrate the important role PMH nurses play in the mental health care system and showcase how PMH nurses are stepping forward to help more Americans access effective mental health treatment and support. In addition, Westfourth provided comprehensive media training to APNA’s new president, who would serve as the national spokesperson for the organization.

Results:

Westfourth launched APNA’s report to the press in May 2019 along with a comprehensive social media program. The report garnered placements in print and broadcast media outlets across the U.S., including in-depth live interview segments on Sirius XM Doctor Radio, NPR’s All Things Considered and NPR’s Morning Edition. Feature print stories also ran the Philadelphia Inquirer, Mental Health Weekly and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

The Westfourth team continues to work with APNA to drive positive media coverage of the unique work of PMH nurses across the nation by leveraging research and trending topics in health care, and through the production of white papers. The team also developed a new APNA toolkit to drive awareness of the PMH nursing profession among nursing students.  Westfourth also supports APNA with ongoing social media graphics and videos highlighting the work of PMH nurses.