COLORADO SPRINGS — It can take six months to get mental health treatment in Southern Colorado, according to Peak Vista Community Health Centers.
The non-profit announced a new Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Fellowship program. It aims to keep more providers in the industry.
Peak Vista staff said they can't take any new patients because there are only three psychiatric mental health providers within 23 locations.
"It just breaks my heart, that's not good care, we want to get patients in for the services that they need as soon as possible," said a psychiatric nurse practitioner Dr. Patricia Bursnall.
Dr. Bursnall said she created a mentorship program she wished she had her first year because it was, "very very challenging."
She believes to stop burnout among providers, they need to feel supported. Each provider will have someone they can go to if they're feeling overwhelmed.
A similar program was launched in 2015. Since then, Peak Vista said it helps half of family nurse practitioners stay after their first year.
Which, is the goal of this new program said Dr. Bursnall. And to have at least one psychiatric nurse practitioner at every location across the state.
The new program launches next year with the recruitment of five providers in the fall. Applications are not available yet.
If you're struggling right now, it's recommended to talk to your primary doctor about a referral, which can get you mental health treatment faster.
Currently, all of the locations where Peak Vista operates are considered Health Professional Shortage Areas when it comes to psychiatric care.
The PMHNP Fellowship will give five nurse practitioner graduates the opportunity to receive mentorship and support during their professional journey each year.
Dr. Anna Mack, a family nurse practitioner, went through the year-long fellowship after graduation in 2020.
"I think I would not be able to be doing that without the fellowship," said Dr. Mack.
She said a lot of her peers left the industry within three years.
"I think there is always that question when things get really hard, like was this worth it," said Dr. Mack.
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