NEW YORK, July 7, 2026
The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) has announced the launch of “Bridging Mental Health and Parkinson’s Care,” a comprehensive five-part professional training course designed to equip mental health practitioners with specialized knowledge and practical skills to better support individuals living with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and their caregivers. The free web-based educational program, beginning July 22, 2026, will provide continuing education (CE) credits for each session while addressing the often-overlooked mental and emotional challenges associated with Parkinson’s disease. Developed for psychologists, counselors, social workers, therapists, and other behavioral health professionals, the initiative reinforces APDA’s commitment to improving multidisciplinary Parkinson’s care by integrating mental health into routine disease management. Through expert-led educational sessions, the course will help clinicians better understand the complex relationship between neurological disease progression, psychological well-being, caregiver burden, and quality of life, ultimately promoting more compassionate, evidence-informed patient care across the Parkinson’s community.
Five-Part Educational Program Focuses on Comprehensive Parkinson’s Mental Health
The new Bridging Mental Health and Parkinson’s Care curriculum will be delivered through five monthly online sessions running from July through November 2026, with each session providing one accredited continuing education (CE) credit. The program begins with an introduction to Parkinson’s disease, covering disease progression, neurological symptoms, psychosocial impacts, and the relationship between Parkinson’s and mental health. Subsequent sessions address depression, anxiety, apathy, caregiver support, age-related and cultural considerations, grief, loss, and psychological resilience, offering participants practical clinical strategies for improving patient outcomes.
The training features presentations from leading experts in movement disorders, neurology, psychiatry, social work, and behavioral health, ensuring healthcare professionals receive current, evidence-based educational content applicable to real-world clinical practice. By emphasizing both patient and caregiver experiences, the course promotes a holistic approach to Parkinson’s care that extends beyond physical symptom management.
Education Initiative Strengthens Multidisciplinary Parkinson’s Care
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According to Rosa Peña, Senior Vice President of Programs & Services at APDA, the mental and emotional effects of Parkinson’s disease frequently receive less attention than the disorder’s physical manifestations despite having a profound impact on patients’ daily lives and long-term well-being. Through this new educational initiative, APDA aims to strengthen the ability of mental health professionals to recognize, assess, and address the psychological challenges experienced by individuals living with Parkinson’s disease and their families. The program also complements APDA’s expanding portfolio of professional education courses, including specialized training for fitness professionals, first responders, home healthcare providers, nursing staff, and advanced Parkinson’s caregivers, further supporting multidisciplinary collaboration across the healthcare continuum.
By offering free, accessible, evidence-based education, APDA continues to advance professional development while improving awareness of the complex mental health needs associated with neurodegenerative disease. As the number of individuals living with Parkinson’s disease continues to increase globally, initiatives such as this training program are expected to enhance clinical practice, strengthen patient-centered care, improve caregiver support, and ultimately contribute to better quality of life for people affected by Parkinson’s disease through greater integration of mental health and neurological care.
Source: American Parkinson Disease Association press release
