This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Heslop, B. and Wynaden, D. and Tohotoa, J. and Heslop, K. 2016. Wynaden, D. and Heslop, K. 2016. Providing leadership on a hidden issue: Where are the mental health nurses? International Journal of Mental Health Nursing. 25 (2): pp. 99-101, which has been published in final form at http://doi.org/10.1111/inm.12207. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving at http://olabout.wiley.com/WileyCDA/Section/id-820227.html#terms