Peak Vista announces new program to increase access to mental health

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - Peak Vista has announced a new psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner fellowship program.

The program aims to meet Colorado's rising demand for psychiatric care by adding psychiatric and mental health care to their primary care services.

It will also allow an opportunity for nurses to receive mentorship and support throughout their professional journey.

The Vista Peak President and CEO Dr. Emily Ptaszek says the percentage of patients with mental health and behavioral health concerns has increased tremendously throughout the state.

Ptaszek also added that the lack of access to mental health care largely impacts vulnerable populations.

“The psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner fellowship program is going to really help build capacity in the area. There’s a lot of retirement going on in the psychiatric community. There’s also an unprecedented demand for mental health services particularly in psychiatric care.  And so to do that in the primary care setting enables easier access for people and just helps to build really important capacity," Ptaszek said.

The program will allow five new fellows each year and will launch in 2024.