In the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, obtaining an appointment with a mental health provider can be challenging due to the limited number of providers available. However, a new federal grant aims to address this issue and improve access to mental health services in the region. The program called BridgeUp, offered by Northern Michigan University and Saginaw Valley State University, aims to increase the number of mental health providers in the area by providing reduced-cost training for a post-graduate certification as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP).
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration has awarded $2.6 million in funding to support this initiative, which is designed to accommodate working professionals by offering online coursework and ensuring that clinical placements are available locally for students. Individuals from the U.P. can benefit from reduced program costs and potential reimbursement in their final three semesters.
The lack of mental health providers in the U.P. has had a significant impact on the community, leading to prolonged suffering for individuals who may have to wait months before receiving care, potentially worsening conditions. With around one in five adults living with a diagnosable mental illness, the need for more providers is crucial. Primary care physicians have attempted to fill the gap in behavioral health services but often encounter challenges in meeting demand due to insufficient resources and training.
A study conducted in 2021 revealed that half of the counties in the U.P., do not have a psychiatrist, and only two counties have inpatient psychiatric beds available which highlights how critical it is for programs like BridgeUp to train more PMHNPs that can help bridge this gap and address shortage of providers
