Mental Health Care: What Pharmacists Think

"Connect them to resources, and honestly just listen. I have been told how much they appreciate me just listening to their medication woes; provide PHQ screening; medication adherence/tolerance follow up calls"

"Depression due to the disease burden is common with patients with diabetes.  I do help them by simplifying their medication regimen, and assisting them as a coach to make them feel supported"

"Listen to them with interest and concern. Council them to seek professional mental health."

"I've engaged in activities such as: Mental status assessment, mental health coaching and self-care support, pharmacotherapy consultation, pharmacist-coordinated long-acting injection clinic (Paliperidone, Naltrexone), participating in cooperation with local Law enforcement mental health response team (Fort Bend County,  TX), Mental health professional and patient medication education."

"I listen and am engaged in the conversation and let them talk. Then I refer to my mental health specialists. I provide resources for patients and support. There are so many people suffering it is nice to be a resource to help those struggling."

"I encourage incorporating exercise, hobbies, and a healthy diet, along with good sleep habits."

"Counseling is key. Learn to listen and not judge. Be sympathetic and understanding. Put yourselves in their shoes and help patients overcome their fears. This requires a lot of patience and personal experience to fully comprehend the symptoms and how best to help. Medications by themselves will not help. Need a lot of support from friends and family."

"When dealing with chronic disease states like Diabetes or heart failure, mental health concerns can make it difficult to manage disease states, stay adherent with medications, and monitoring.  Also, these disease states can often exacerbate mental health conditions. The concept of mental health integration is important in primary care."

"I share my love for working out. I tell them that I workout every morning to start my work day. I share my Ironman or marathon scrapbook to show them my progress and me at the finish line. I let them know about the local gyms near by and free membership for silver sneakers. I also inform them about local race events 5K or triathlons that they can start training."

"I feel it is super important as frontline care providers to help those with mental health issues. I call it well-being. When I fill an antidepressant I add it's for well-being on the SIG. Whether I am working the drop off Window or the pick up Window, and receive a antidepressant order for a patient, I ask a few questions, if it's the first time on the medication I set the expectation it's not a cure, it's not take one pill and fill better magically, it's part of a holistic approach to getting your mind/body used to being in the frying pan as you use resources to help you get out of the frying pan. I let them know the importance of Talk Therapy and the drug cannot get you better all alone without the support of Holistic assistance. I have a two page list of about 20 resources, including 988 and Veterans Crisis Line, with descriptions, web links, addresses and phone numbers. I let the patient know it's not a one size fits all, so find who/what you like and let them help you get your well being back on track. I also say don't get discouraged if you don't click with the first one, if uncomfortable don't waste time fire them and find a resource that works and is comfortable for You. We are holistic teammates where each of us plays a part in the well being of all of us."

"Many of my patients with mental health issues have trouble challenges getting to the doctors office. I administer antipsychotic injections (ie Aristada) in the pharmacy. This saves them from additional travel barriers and has improved patient adherence over 20% compared to when they received in office."

"Being an active listener and having a lot of patience. Also treating them with dignity and respect. Understanding their mental challenges and finding solutions or ways to work around them."