Our Affiliation with AAPA

Constituent organizations are independent organizations formally affiliated with AAPA, comprised of state chapters, federal chapters, specialty organizations, special interest groups, and caucuses. As a constituent organization, APAP operates autonomously while maintaining a collaborative relationship with AAPA to advocate for PAs and advance the profession. This structure allows APAP to focus specifically on the unique needs of PAs working in psychiatry and mental health while benefiting from AAPA’s national advocacy platform and resources.

APAP is committed to the advancement of PAs working in psychiatry and mental health and the elimination of practice barriers. Our mission is to support, represent, and grow the national community of physician assistants specializing in psychiatry. While only 3-4% of PAs nationwide practice exclusively in psychiatry, mental health challenges affect patients across all specialties, making APAP’s work relevant to all PAs who encounter mental health concerns in their practice.

Through our affiliation with AAPA, APAP serves as a member-driven organization dedicated to providing advocacy at state and local levels, access to enriched mental health education, and networking opportunities among PAs. We strive to expand access to quality psychiatric treatment and mental health services nationwide. By increasing competence in mental health services, PAs can help address the critical shortage of mental health providers across the nation.

As an officially recognized constituent organization within AAPA’s federated structure, APAP holds a legitimate position within the broader PA professional community. This recognition validates our role as the specialty organization for psychiatric and mental health PAs, providing members with professional support, resources, mentorship, and a unified voice for advocacy. When you join APAP, you add your voice to this national effort and connect with a dynamic, expert-led community advancing mental health care.