Mental Health First Aid Training Can Help Pharmacists Provide Better Care
Pharmacists who participated in the mental health first aid training had better understanding of mental health conditions and increased confidence and skills in mental health intervention.
Pharmacists who received mental health first aid training more frequently engaged patients in mental health conversations and provided more compassionate support, according to new data published in the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association.1 The authors said that mental health training can help improve mental health outcomes and reduce stigma.
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According to data from the National Institute of Mental Health, more than 1 in 5 adults in the country live with a mental illness.2 In 2022, 30 million American adults received treatment for a mental health condition, including counseling or prescription medication. The most common mental health conditions are anxiety disorders, followed by major depressive episodes, and posttraumatic stress disorder.3
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“In addition to supporting self-care and primary care, pharmacists provide patients with essential information and resources to manage various health concerns, including mental health,” the authors wrote. “They are trained to counsel patients on medication usage and contribute to the overall well-being of their communities. However, many pharmacists report a lack of confidence when addressing mental health conditions.”
Investigators from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine conducted a study to assess the effects of mental health first aid training for pharmacists on their knowledge, attitudes, and competency in providing mental health support. Data for the systematic review was gathered from 9 databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsychInfo, and CENTRAL. The review included pharmacists working in different settings, such as community, retail, drugstores, and hospitals.
The systematic review included 9 studies, with 6 conducted in Australia and 3 in the US. The studies were published between 2016 and 2023, with 2 being randomized controlled trials, 3 being cross-sectional, 1 being quasi-experimental, 2 being qualitative, and 1 being exploratory mixed-method. In total, the studies included 568 participants, with 390 being community pharmacists, 33 being hospital pharmacists, and 145 being a mix of both community and hospital pharmacists.
The study found that pharmacists who participated in the mental health first aid training had improved understanding of mental health conditions, reduced stigma around mental health, increased confidence and skills in mental health intervention, and interest in ongoing education to deliver effective mental healthcare. Additionally, the study found that pharmacists also recognized the importance of mental health first aid, and reported that it gave them the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively counsel patients.
“Collaboration between healthcare professionals, policymakers, and educational institutions is crucial to integrating mental health first aid into mental health support programs and improving access to mental health services,” the authors concluded. “Through coordinated efforts, mental health first aid training can help build a more supportive and inclusive approach to mental health care, benefiting patients and healthcare providers.”
READ MORE: Mental and Behavioral Health Resource Center
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References
1. Advincula TJ, Abubakar M, Carandang RR. Effects of Mental Health First Aid Training in Hospital and Community Pharmacists: A Systematic Review. J Am Pharm Assoc. Published online February 11, 2025. DOI: 10.1016/j.japh.2025.102344
2. Mental Illness. Report. National Institute of Mental Health. September 2024. Accessed February 21, 2025. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness
3. Mental Health by the Numbers. Report. National Alliance on Mental Illness. April 2023. Accessed February 21, 2025. https://www.nami.org/about-mental-illness/mental-health-by-the-numbers/
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December 13th 2024A conversation with Nina Vadiei, PharmD, BCPP, clinical associate professor in the Division of Pharmacotherapy at University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy and a clinical pharmacy specialist in psychiatry at the San Antonio State Hospital.
