According to the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI), 23.4% of adults in the U.S. experienced mental illness in 2024, or about 1 in 5 adults. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to reduce stigma and check in with our friends and loved ones who may be struggling. It’s also an important time to promote options for receiving help.
How do PAs Treat Mental Health?
Medication Management: PAs prescribe medications to treat a variety of mental health disorders. From Family Medicine to Emergency Medicine and beyond, a PA can help patients access medication to manage their mental health.
Clinical Care: Regardless of specialty, all PAs are trained to screen and diagnose mental health disorders, assess patient risk, and determine follow-up.
Specialized Care: PAs may specialize in areas such as psychiatry or addiction medicine in order to meet patient care needs.
In Minnesota, all PAs must abide by state licensure standards. Specialized training may be required for PAs to treat severe Mental Illness.
How to access care?
Mental health struggles can feel overwhelming and isolating. However, it’s important to remember there are health care providers who will partner with you to help you feel better. If you or a loved one is struggling, a primary care provider may be a good place to start. Whether they are a physician, PA, or Nurse Practitioner, they can work with you to create a treatment plan. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call 988 to reach the National Sucide and Crisis Lifeline.
On April 30, the U.S. Department of Education issued a final rule that excludes PA programs from the definition of “professional degrees”. As a result, PA students will be limited to $20,500 in federal student loans per year. If PA programs were included in the professional degree category, students could borrow up to $50,000 annually
This decision follows months of negotiated rulemaking aimed at distinguishing between professional and graduate degree programs. Throughout this process, the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) has actively opposed the change.
Unless the rule is reversed, starting July 1, PA students will face a $20,500 annual loan cap—an amount that does not cover tuition alone—while students in recognized professional degree programs can access up to $50,000 per year.
How this Rule Will Be Challenged
In response, The American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA), the PA Education Association (PAEA), and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) have announced plans to challenge the rule in federal court under the Administrative Procedure Act. Their goal is to overturn the rule and restore the original definition of “professional student” as Congress intended. They argue that the Department of Education’s decision conflicts with the law, since both PA and nurse practitioner (NP) programs meet the statutory definition.
The Leadership and Development Committee was honored to welcome AAPA President-Elect, Dr. David Bunnell, to their meeting on April 27. In addition to serving as the President-Elect of the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA), Dr. Bunnell is a PhD trained PA and an Assistant Professor in the Doctor of Medical Science program at the University of Maryland. His clinical experience ranges from cardiology, to cardiothoracic surgery and critical care. He will take over as President of AAPA in July 2026.
Dr. Bunnell engaged the group in a lively discussion about finding your passion and unique leadership style as a PA. The discussion even touched on questions such as “how do I survive imposter syndrome?” and “can a healthcare organization survive without PAs?”
Young PAs in their first two years of practice are of special interest to Dr. Bunnell. He understands the daunting jump from PA-S to becoming an experienced PA-C. “There’s about a two year period where we don’t know what to do with you,” he said. However, he encouraged PAs to, “own this space to help young career PAs to become experts.” He said that one way young PAs can bridge this gap is by identifying their professional passion.
Dr. Bunnell discussed his own path to leadership. While he has years of emergency medicine experience, he discovered his passion in surgery. He joined the Association of PAs in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery (APACVS) as a way to become a leader in his field. Dr. Bunnell says that joining a relevant professional organization is key to overcoming imposter syndrome, telling participants, “We need you to do what YOU are great at.” Once established within the organization, Dr. Bunnell encouraged PAs to run for the leadership board.
To young PAs looking to establish themselves within their healthcare organization, Dr. Bunnell advised that they be prepared to, “keep shifting,” in order to keep up with the endless needs of healthcare organizations. Making connections with professional staff such as clinic managers and organization executives can also help PAs stand out. Lastly, PA’s should seek out leaders they admire and ask them a simple question, “How can I help?”
The discussion came to a close with one final piece of advice from Dr. Bunnell: never forget that PAs are essential. He encouraged all PAs to enter every room knowing that they are just as indispensable as any other healthcare worker and to use that confidence to establish their leadership style. “You are essential. PAs are essential. Make it part of your professional identity.”
The MAPA Leadership and Development Committee hosted this conversation with Dr. Bunnell as part of their monthly leadership training sessions. The MAPA Leadership and Development Committee is dedicated to cultivating Minnesota PA leaders at every stage of their career. At each meeting, the committee sits down with PA leaders from Minnesota and beyond to discuss their career journey. Leaders discuss the decisions that mattered most, the resources that shaped them, and the lessons they wished they had learned sooner. While this committee is open to everyone, most sessions are geared toward PA students and early-career PAs (0-5 years). If you are a Minnesota PA looking to connect with other leaders and add leadership training to your resume, email Matt Weiseman at matthew.weiseman@fairview.org.
With more than 20 years of clinical experience, I’ve dedicated my career to advancing the PA profession while advocating for the patients we serve. Over the past two years as AAPA Director at Large, I’ve worked to turn advocacy into action, opening national doors for PAs, including becoming the first PA clinician appointed to the PCORI Patient Engagement Advisory Panel. I’m running for reelection because our work isn’t finished. At a time when healthcare is rapidly evolving, we must protect our seat at every table, strengthen our voice, and ensure PAs are empowered to practice at the top of their training.
My vision for AAPA is bold and clear: a unified, forward-thinking organization that leads with purpose. That means championing policies that protect access to care, investing in mentorship and leadership pathways for the next generation, and continuing to advocate for health equity in every community. From addressing student loan challenges to protecting patient rights and combating preventable diseases, the stakes are real, and so is our responsibility to lead.
I bring not only experience, but the resilience and perspective gained from serving on the Board, understanding how to build coalitions, navigate challenges, and create lasting change. As a first-generation Colombian immigrant, bilingual PA, and leader shaped by both personal and professional experiences, I am committed to ensuring every voice is heard and every patient is seen.
Together, we can elevate our profession and shape the future of medicine.
I’m asking for your vote for AAPA Director at Large, because the work continues. Juntos Todo Se Puede.
The Minnesota Academy of Physician Assistants (MAPA) is proud to offer our formal endorsement of Leslie Clayton, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA for the position of AAPA President-Elect. Having served our state chapter for nearly 20 years in roles ranging from President to Legislative Chair, Leslie has consistently demonstrated a profound commitment to the growth and protection of our profession. Her deep-rooted connection to MAPA ensures that the challenges faced by state-level leaders remain a primary focus at the national table, bridging the gap between local needs and national strategy.
Leslie’s extensive leadership and clinical background uniquely position her to represent PAs in all practice settings. Key highlights of her experience include:
National Advocacy: Serving as Chair of the American Hospital Association’s APP Advisory Group to promote PA’s in senior health system leadership.
Clinical and Academic Leadership: 28 years of clinical practice and a decade of experience as a PA faculty member and a doctoral instructor.
Administrative Oversight: Current role as Program Director for Advanced Practice for a large academic health system, supporting over 1,300 PAs and APRNs.
Most notably, Leslie’s legislative acumen has been a catalyst for historic progress in Minnesota, including the removal of supervision and the passage of the PA Compact. She possesses a rare ability to defend our profession with integrity and evidence-based authority, even in high-pressure political environments. We believe her vision and strategic expertise will serve as a significant asset to the AAPA Board of Directors and we invite our members to consider her candidacy as we work together to advance the future of PA practice.
