Cardinal Health Foundation and the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) are joining forces to provide mental health education and resources for pharmacy teams.
“Pharmacies are highly trusted by patients as accessible, convenient resources for questions about their health,” the foundation noted in an Oct. 10 announcement. “Some conversations can be more difficult to have than others, especially when it comes to mental health.
“According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), one in five Americans experiences mental illness each year, and more patients are turning to pharmacists for support. NCPA and the Cardinal Health Foundation are partnering to expand mental health education and training opportunities for community pharmacists, including scholarships for mental health first aid training.”
The new initiatives include funding and scholarships for mental health first aid training; NCPA-developed webinars on self care for pharmacy teams and patients; two mental health articles to be published in NCPA’s America’s Pharmacist magazine; and a mental health-focused educational session to be presented at the NCPA’s annual convention.
“By increasing access to timely and effective mental health services, we are investing in a healthier future for our communities,” said Brad Cochran, executive vice president, pharmaceutical and specialty distribution, Cardinal Health. “Together with the NCPA, we will offer independent pharmacies the critical training, tools and resources they need to spot early warning signs and make a positive impact on the patients, families and communities they serve.”
“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, NCPA’s CEO. “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.”
NCPA pharmacist: ‘We encounter patients with mental health concerns on a daily basis’
In the announcement of the partnership, an NCPA member explained how the new resources could support pharmacy teams and customers alike.
“We encounter patients with mental health concerns on a daily basis,” said Phil LaFoy, RPh, Blount Discount Pharmacy in Maryville, Tennessee. “With the number of people receiving treatment for mental health issues, training is needed to help us support our patients.
“Just because a patient isn’t being treated for mental health doesn’t mean they aren’t experiencing mental health challenges. 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.”
LaFoy reported that the mental health first aid training he received at this year’s Cardinal Health Retail Business conference provided “valuable new perspectives on how pharmacists can help identify possible mental health concerns.” LaFoy added that the training “has also helped foster health conversations about mental health” among pharmacy team members.
“The training stressed that it’s not necessarily about treating these patients, because many of them are already in treatment,” he said. “It’s about getting them the help they need, and the key to that is being a good listener, providing guidance and direction.”
