New university program aims to increase ranks of MH providers

Binghamton University's Decker Sch‐ool of Nursing is stepping up to address the growing mental health crisis by training the next generation of providers, BingUNews reported Oct. 16. With a comprehensive curriculum and a board certification pass rate exceeding 90%, the school's family psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (FPMHNP) program is preparing students to become leaders in education, clinical care, and policy. “Binghamton's program is highly regarded, and it's at a high level of skill,” says Susan Glodstein, program coordinator. “What distinguishes us is our flexibility and depth. People seek out our program because they know they'll be well‐prepared to make a difference.” The need is urgent. In 2020 alone, 21 million people around the country had a major depressive episode, and 40 million struggled with anxiety. Yet more than half of adults receive no treatment, and 60% of mental health practitioners are unable to take new patients. “Decker's program laid down the foundation for problem‐solving, investigating the problem in more depth and considering alternative approaches,” says Jean Van Kingsley, MS, who works for the Greater Binghamton Health Center in the Office of Mental Health and as a FPMHNP for Otsego County, N.Y. “I always say that from Decker, you will have a solid foundation. Some students build a small cabin of knowledge, but others build a mansion.” The program uses interdisciplinary methods, emphasizes field‐based skills, and requires scholarly writing. However, students also must maintain high and continuously improving skill sets in the subject itself, such as advanced physiology and pharmacology.