Cardinal Health, NCPA Team Up to Expand Mental Health Resources for Pharmacists

The Cardinal Health Foundation and the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) are partnering to address the current mental health crisis by providing pharmacists with mental health resources, including educational materials, training opportunities, and scholarships, Cardinal Health announced in a release.¹

Pharmacists are regarded as the most accessible health care providers and are trusted experts in health care. Although they routinely offer clinical services, medication management, and patient counseling on physical conditions, having conversations with patients about mental health conditions can be more challenging. With 1 in 5 Americans experiencing mental illness each year,² it is important to foster a supportive environment for these discussions.

However, some pharmacists lack the necessary skills or confidence to address mental health concerns effectively. According to Phil LaFoy, RPh, from Blount Discount Pharmacy in Maryville, Tennessee, more education is needed to support the growing number of patients in need of mental health care.

“Just because a patient isn’t being treated for mental health doesn’t mean they aren’t experiencing mental health challenges,” LaFoy said in a release.¹ “You may be talking to someone who’s on blood pressure medication, and once they open up to you, you realize there are underlying issues.”

The Cardinal Health Foundation and NCPA are teaming up to provide just that. To support the 58 million adults affected by mental illness across the US,² the partnership aims to expand mental health education and training opportunities for community pharmacists, including scholarships for mental health first aid training.

READ MORE: Depression, Anxiety on the Rise in Young People

The partnership also acknowledges how pharmacists are being impacted by the mental health crisis. Heightened workloads during the pandemic have contributed to a lingering sense of stress, fear, anxiety, depression, and exhaustion among the profession. According to a 2022 study published in the International Journey of Clinical Pharmacy, more than 50% of pharmacists have demonstrated burnout.³

Through a series of webinars developed by NCPA’s education team that focus on self-care for pharmacists, pharmacy staff, and patients, the partnership will address mental health behind the counter. Further, 2 articles focused on mental health and resiliency will be featured in NCPA’s America’s Pharmacist magazine and a session will be offered at the NCPA Annual Convention.

LaFoy, who took the mental health first aid training at this year’s Cardinal Health Retail Business Conference, found the instruction valuable. He believes it provided him with new perspectives on how pharmacists can identify mental health concerns and initiate meaningful conversations about mental health with patients.

“The training stressed that it’s not necessarily about treating these patients, because many of them are already in treatment,” Lafoy said in a release.¹ “It’s about getting them the help they need and the key to that is being a good listener, providing guidance and direction.”

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, only half of adults who could benefit from mental health treatment receive it amid the current mental health crisis.² However, given their accessibility and trusted status, pharmacists are uniquely positioned to address this.

“Community pharmacists and their pharmacy teams, with their strong patient relationships, are well-positioned to help increase awareness and fill care gaps for patients needing mental health services,” said Douglas Hoey, CEO of NCPA, in a news release.¹ “The demand for these services is growing and evolving, and through this partnership with the Cardinal Health Foundation, NCPA will be able to help pharmacists nationwide adapt their practice to address this critical need.”

READ MORE: Mental and Behavioral Health Resource Center

Don’t get left behind: Sign up today for our free Drug Topics newsletter and get the latest drug information, industry trends, and patient care tips delivered straight to your inbox.

References

1. Cardinal Health Foundation and National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) partner to offer mental health tools for pharmacies. News release. October 10, 2024. Accessed October 10, 2024. https://newsroom.cardinalhealth.com/2024-10-10-Cardinal-Health-Foundation-and-National-Community-Pharmacists-Association-NCPA-partner-to-offer-mental-health-tools-for-pharmacies

2. Mental health by the numbers. National Alliance on Mental Illness. Fact sheet. Accessed October 10, 2024. https://www.nami.org/about-mental-illness/mental-health-by-the-numbers/

3. Dee J, Dhuhaibawi N, Hayden JC. A systematic review and pooled prevalence of burnout in pharmacists. Int J Clin Pharm. 2023;45(5):1027-1036. doi:10.1007/s11096-022-01520-6