TODAY I am continuing the discussion of overlooked professions which can play major roles in the mental health field within our community.

Most people associate pharmacists with physical health issues, to simply know which over the counter pill produces the best results or how/when to take medication prescribed by doctors. I think that the education of pharmacists unconsciously creates a wide gap in knowledge that can effectively lower the onset and progression of mental health issues within our community. We take them for granted to the point where I think even pharmacists are not aware of the unique position they are in.

Pharmacists play a crucial role in patient treatment. What most people forget is that the neighbourhood pharmacist sees a patient more than any other health professional. Furthermore, they are the most accessible health care providers.

Pharmacists see patients before, during and in the maintenance stage of treatment. Patients tend to self- medicate before seeking professional help, typically using a pharmacy to do so. They are seen during treatment when picking up their prescription medication and after seeing a doctor for some time, most are put on repeat medication and therefore only see the pharmacist during this time. Pharmacists also have conversations with patients that even doctors don’t have. I’ll tell you something from personal experience, when you do something every day, especially in health services, it becomes so natural and second nature that we forget this may be a whole new concept to some. Doctors tend to casually run through what many may find difficult to understand. Patients often leave with unasked or unanswered questions and then go ask their pharmacist. I’m definitely not encouraging anyone to leave their doctor without fully understanding the situation and instead go ask their pharmacist. However, this often happens and therefore pharmacists can help patients to understand the reality of their illness, progression and treatment.

If our neighbourhood pharmacists were educated in mental health issues such as signs and symptoms, the onset and progression of mental health issues would decrease. They can be society’s main screening tool for illnesses that may go unnoticed within our community. They don’t necessarily need counselling skills (although it couldn’t hurt) but just brief intervention skills to approach and then guide the individual to an appropriate place. Pharmacists have a wide range of connections through the health system as they are in constant contact with nurses and doctors. However, this could easily be extended to social workers, psychologists and psychiatrists.

Adherence to medication for mental health issues remains low and therefore, drug monitoring is very important. Pharmacists can improve adherence through medication education and side-effect monitoring of repeated patients. Through talking about the medication, they can help to reduce certain biases that a patient may have before filling their first prescription. This can be done by discussing or reaffirming not just how to properly use the medication but what exactly it’s being used for and the duration of use before effects are felt. Full disclosure on side effects and when to return if they become overwhelming will also be beneficial. Pharmacists study medication and they are very good at what they do. What they lack is hands-on experience in the mental health field. I believe they should be doing hospital rounds like that which is required for almost all other mental health professionals.

Having this experience, a pharmacist can now question why a particular person keeps buying over the counter pain medication. Do they often have head or back pain? Or is it a daily hangover cure where they may need some intervention for their substance abuse?
If pharmacists knew the signs and symptoms for depression, anxiety or substance abuse – which people typically buy over the counter medication for before seeking professional help, it would make a huge difference within our society and in the lives of the people who need further attention.

Pharmacists are university educated like all health professionals so why not add mental health training to their curriculum? It’s not as though Guyana has an abundance of mental health professionals so training one more profession to be better equipped in the field would release some of the pressure on other professionals who are already overworked in our society. It also leaves another, more accessible option for those with these issues.
Until there is a proper educational system in place, pharmacists can self-educate on signs and symptoms of mental health illnesses. Paying close attention to what medication regular customers are taking as well as mood changes can and will make a difference. Simply asking someone how they are feeling would also potentially open a dialogue that they may not have felt comfortable sharing with others.

Keep a list of all nearby help available within the mental health field which includes contact information. If you see signs that trouble you, it couldn’t hurt to pass this information along. Print materials and posters on mental health issues and put these up on the walls in your pharmacies. I have only ever seen advertisements or public service announcements about physical health care issues in pharmacies. If you are a patient on medication, try and stick to one pharmacy or pharmacist that knows your medical history as this will serve you both.

In my humble opinion, it does not even make sense that someone with that much contact with a potential mental health patient isn’t trained to talk to them or identify further issues. Pharmacists can make a massive difference in keeping patients well within the community while providing unique and meaningful care.

Can anyone think of any other professions not being fully utilized in the mental health field?
Thanking you for reading. Please keep sending any topics you’d like to talk about to caitlinvieira@gmail.com

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