About ISPN

ISPN – The International Society of Psychiatric-Mental health Nurses – was formed in 1999 as a result of the amalgamation of four independent psychiatric-mental health nursing organizations. More information on the history of ISPN history, can be found here.

Mission and Practices (adopted September 2014)

ISPN’s mission is ‘to support advanced-practice psychiatric-mental health nurses in promoting mental health care, literacy, and policy worldwide’.

The practices of the International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses are to:

Strengthen the presence and voice of advanced practice psychiatric-mental health (PMH) nurses through contributions to standards, curricula, and public policy statements that promote equitable quality mental health care for individuals, families, and communities
Promote advanced practice psychiatric nurses to deliver lifespan mental health care and literacy education to clients, families, and communities
Promote members' research and the development of scholarship through funding, presentations, and publications
Support members' efforts to collaborate with clients, families, communities, and national and international partners to address mental health issues
Provide education, leadership development, and networking for members through conferences, online resources, service opportunities, and partnerships

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What's New

Ukamaka Oruche, PhD, RN, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN, Past President of ISPN, was one of 22 individuals that Sigma inducted into the International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame. Please help me congratulate Dr. Oruche!

On June 9, 2023, Ukamaka Oruche, PhD, RN, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN, Past President of ISPN, received the Association of Black Nursing Faculty's Lifetime Achievement Award! Please join me in congratulating Dr. Oruche!

ISPN is pleased to announce that the 2024 ISPN Conference Chair Gabrielle Abelard DNP, PMHNP, PMHCNS- BC, RN, FNAP has been selected to be a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing. Dr Abelard is the CEO of Abelard Community Mental Health Clinic and the Graduate Program Director Masters, Certificates, and Psychiatric Mental Health Specialty at the UMASS Amherst Elaine Marieb College of Nursing.
ISPN is also pleased to announce that the 2023 ISPN President Award Recipient, Marian Newton, PhD, MN, BSN, RN, PMHCNS-BC, PMHNP-BC, ANEF, has been selected to be a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing. Dr. Newton is Professor Emerita and Adjunct Graduate Faculty in the Eleanor Wade Custer School of Nursing at Shenandoah University.
Induction into the Academy is a significant milestone in a nurse leader’s career in which their accomplishments are honored by their colleagues within and outside the profession. Fellows are selected based on their contributions and impact to advance the public’s health.
Congratulations Drs. Abelard and Newton!

Global Alliance for Behavioral Health and Social Justice: Looking Back, Moving Forward Call for Papers: The American Journal of Orthopsychiatry invites manuscripts for an upcoming thematic issue celebrating the 100^th anniversary of the organization. Manuscripts should review the organization’s historical roots and impact, highlight the organization’s contributions, discuss key issues and challenges faced or currently faced related to behavioral health and social justice, and/or provide historical insights for future policy and programmatic directions in fields relevant to behavioral and social justice the Global Alliance. Submissions are due October 1, 2023.

The ISPN Board of Directors along with collaboration from the ISPN Policy Committee has approved an ISPN statement on gun violence prevention. See this and all the ISPN Policy Statements and Papers here.

Archives of Psychiatric Nursing is seeking articles for three upcoming special issues: More information can be found here.

988, a revamped National Suicide Prevention Lifeline that is being bill as the 911 of mental health, is now live in the U.S.

Find ISPN on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter! Be sure to follow ISPN on any of our social media platforms!

The ISPN Peer Support Workgroup has opened up this support to any nurse at this time (members or nonmembers). Click here for more information.

ISPN is a collaborative partner with the Global Alliance for Behavioral Health and Social Justice! If you are not a member, be sure to look at the member benefits to see reasons to join both organizations! Visit their website today!

Reminder to subscribe to the ISPN Listserv, "E-List": Make sure you are logged in as this is a member benefit, and then click here to read more.