Psychiatric–Mental Health Nurse Practitioners: Addressing the Growing Mental Health Needs of the Population—A Narrative Review

Background: Mental health needs are rising globally, while workforce shortages constrain access to timely care. Israel launched formal training for Psychiatric–Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) in 2023 as part of broader efforts to strengthen the public mental health system. This narrative review provides a focused synthesis of international and Israeli literature on PMHNP roles, models of practice, outcomes, and implementation considerations relevant to the Israeli context. Methods: We conducted a narrative, non-systematic literature review of international and Israeli literature on Psychiatric–Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs). Searches were conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Scopus (January 2000–December 2024), alongside targeted policy and regulatory documents. Eligible sources addressed NP/PMHNP roles, scope of practice, clinical and service outcomes, implementation processes, workforce implications, or policy considerations in high-income health systems. Findings were synthesized thematically. Results: Across the reviewed literature, particularly in primary care and community-based settings, PMHNP/NP-delivered care was generally associated with comparable outcomes on selected quality and safety indicators, alongside improved accessibility, continuity, and high patient satisfaction. Successful implementation depended on regulatory clarity, organizational readiness, interprofessional collaboration, and the development of a clear professional identity. In Israel, the role is emerging within a cautious regulatory framework and may face early barriers related to role ambiguity, variable organizational support, and limited stakeholder awareness. Conclusions: PMHNP implementation may offer an important strategy for strengthening mental health service capacity in Israel. However, the extent of its contribution will depend on regulatory clarity, organizational support, implementation quality, and future empirical evaluation in the Israeli context.