American Psychiatric Nurses Association Annual Conference 2026

APNA Member Brittany Haskell, DNP, PMHNP-BC, CNE, gave the presentation, Mental Health Virtual Escape Room, along with co-presenter Matt Schroer, DNP, PMHNP-BC, at the APNA 35th Annual Conference last fall.

Co-presenter of Mental Health Virtual Escape Room at the APNA 35th Annual Conference.

Anyi Atabong, DNP, PMHNP-BC, FNP-C, PMH-C, is a dual board-certified psychiatric mental-health and family nurse practitioner serving minority and underserved communities. She is co-owner of a private outpatient practice and also an adjunct professor at Georgetown University, Berkley School of Nursing.

Focusing on GLP-1 medications and the pursuit of the “perfect” body, we will address current FDA-approved uses, emerging psychiatric indications, and the growing cultural obsession with body image which has led to an explosion of people taking the meds but often with no real medical oversight. We will explore how providers can navigate this complex landscape to help our patients with clinical insight and compassion.

Going “back to the basics,” you’ll refresh your knowledge of old and new neurotransmitters and their mechanisms of actions in the treatment of symptoms which disrupt the lives of our patients. Armed with this knowledge, you will be better prepared to partner with your patient in choosing appropriate psychopharmacological therapies.

Hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, and menopause exacerbate ADHD symptoms in women and increase vulnerability for mood disorders and suicidal ideation. Understanding this relationship is crucial for improving patient outcomes.

Staff post-assault surveys highlight the emotional toll and workplace safety concerns following type II violence incidents, emphasizing the need for improved training and stronger support systems. They also reveal a clear interest in peer support programs and decisive actions for repeated incidents, underscoring the importance of proactive and tailored safety measures.

As members of the PeaceHealth St. Joseph team working in the inpatient psychiatric setting in Washington State, we will be sharing the successful journey to reduce Workplace Violence through applying a tool to predict it, a standard plan to protect staff when caring for patients with a high potential for violence, and innovative strategies to create a culture of care that prevents violence altogether. Ours is a story of curiosity, innovation, collaboration, and tenacity to achieve and sustain our gains-and we believe in your team’s infinite capacity to enjoy similar outcomes.

Mindfulness empowers active-duty service members and veterans to break free from feeling “stuck.” It is an effective tool for navigating the demands of military life and the challenges of transitioning to civilian life. More than just a practice, mindfulness offers a path to healing, growth, and a renewed sense of purpose and wholeness.

Psychedelics, such as psilocybin, MDMA, and ketamine, are showing great promise as innovative treatments for challenging psychiatric and substance use disorders. We will synthesize current research on the therapeutic potential of these substances and discuss opportunities for nurses and advanced practice nurses in this emerging field.