OGDEN — A few years ago, faculty members at Weber State University noticed an increase in mental health concerns among their student population.

“The mental health issues have skyrocketed, and that’s not just at Weber State, but it’s reflected everywhere,” said Carrie Jeffrey, associate professor and doctor of nursing practice program director at WSU’s Annie Taylor Dee School of Nursing. “There have been nationwide reports about universities and mental health and part of that showed not only national mental issues are on the rise, but Utah, in part, is a little more concerning.”

There’s also not enough mental health providers to see everyone seeking help, Jeffrey said, especially in rural areas.

So in an effort to help the growing need, WSU has launched a new program.

The psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner emphasis is the newest offering in the doctor of nursing practice degree at the university. Now in its second week, Jeffrey said the program is training students to prepare to take the certification exam so they can be licensed as advanced practice registered nurses.

The degree, which takes seven semesters, or just over two years, to earn, will equip students to focus on mental and behavioral health.

“We have so many students who have shown an interest,” Jeffrey said. “The response we’ve received from our clinical partners has been amazing and everyone is very excited to have this program off the ground so we can help fill the critical need for mental health workers.”

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 30,000 job openings will need to be filled with advanced practice registered nurses. Many of those jobs will be needed in Utah. WSU’s program requires students to receive high standards of training and experience, which is provided in this degree.

“Our program is designed with flexibility in mind,” said Shauna Cheshire, PMHNP program assistant director. “It incorporates online courses and in-person labs to develop hands-on-skills. Students also complete clinical hours under the guidance of experienced preceptors and implement a project to address gaps in clinical care.”

Jeffrey said the nursing school accepted 16 students this year. They are expected to graduate in 2027.

“We were flooded with applications,” she said. “In order to qualify for the program, you should have a bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited school and at least two years of nursing experience as a registered nurse.”

Jeffrey said the great thing about obtaining the degree is the fact that graduates can go out and work as mental health providers without having to practice under a physician. They will be able to write prescriptions as well as offer psychotherapy. This also means rural communities will get both medication management and therapy together, which has been shown to be more effective than just receiving one or the other.”

Jeffrey said while the reason for mental health increases aren’t fully understood, there are several theories.

“There are so many different factors that can come into play,” she said. “Genetics can play a role, social media consumption, the pandemic, certain viral and bacterial illnesses. If someone pins it on one certain thing, it simply is not true.”

Jeffrey said the stigma surrounding mental illness seems to be lessening more and more as well, which may be causing more people to be more open to seek help.

“If you had diabetes and your pancreas isn’t functioning, we would treat you, so why wouldn’t we also treat your brain for a mental illness? The brain is an organ, after all, and that makes it just as much a physical illness as any other disease.”

Jeffrey also said the average salary for PMHNPs in Utah is approximately $151,000 per year, so students are getting a great return on their investment in the program.

“This program is deeply meaningful in addressing the mental health needs in Utah communities that have long faced shortages in qualified professionals,” she said. “The whole purpose of the Annie Taylor Dee School of Nursing has always been to be in close contact with our communities and to help shape our graduates for the needs out there. We’re really working with our partners on this mental health care crisis. It has to start somewhere, and the beautiful thing about it is that many of our students usually stay here in Utah after they graduate.”