A national study of the mental health literacy of community pharmacists |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, New Zealand;2. School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, New Zealand;3. Centre for Addiction Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand;4. Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand;5. School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Australia;1. Palmerston North Hospital Pharmacy, MidCentral District Health Board, Palmerston North, New Zealand;2. School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand;3. New Zealand Pharmacovigilance Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand;1. School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 26, Hobart, Tasmania, 7001, Australia;2. Tasmanian School of Medicine, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 34, Hobart, Tasmania, 7001, Australia;3. Royal Hobart Hospital, GPO Box 1061, Hobart, Tasmania, 7001, Australia;1. Phymedexp, University of Montpellier, Inserm, CNRS, CHRU de Montpellier, 191 Avenue du Doyen Giraud, 34295, Montpellier cedex 5, France;2. Research Center on Aging, CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS, 1036 Rue Belvédère Sud, Sherbrooke, Québec, J1H 4C4, Canada;3. Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Montreal, C.P. 6128, succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, Québec, H3C 3J7, Canada;4. Department of Pharmacy, McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Boulevard Décarie, Montréal, Québec, H4A 3J1, Canada;5. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Sherbrooke, 3001 12 Ave N Immeuble X1, Sherbrooke, Québec, J1H 5N4, Canada;6. Department of Medicine, CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec, J1H 5N4, Canada;7. Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences, University of Sherbrooke, 2500 Boulevard de l’Université, Sherbrooke, Québec, J1K 2R1, Canada;8. Faculty of Pharmacy, Laval University, 1050 Avenue de la Médecine, Québec, G1V 0A6, Canada;9. Department of Pharmacy, CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec, J1H 5N4, Canada |
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| Abstract: | BackgroundCommunity pharmacists are in a prime position to communicate with and assist those with mental health needs. However, mental health literacy, which includes beliefs and knowledge of mental health conditions, can impact the provision of pharmacy services. The mental health literacy of community pharmacists in New Zealand is currently unknown.ObjectivesTo assess the mental health literacy of community pharmacists in New Zealand.MethodsWe employed a national cross-sectional online survey, evaluating attitudes towards mental illness, ability to recognise depression using a vignette and followed by questions related to the helpfulness of various interventions, and willingness to provide pharmacy services for people with mental illness in comparison to cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, opportunities for mental health training were explored. Participants were community pharmacists working in New Zealand contacted via mailing lists of professional bodies.ResultsWe received responses from 346 participants. The majority of participants showed positive attitudes towards mental illness and correctly identified depression in the vignette (87%). Participants rated counsellors (84%) and physical activity (92%) as the most helpful professionals and intervention respectively while only 43% considered antidepressants as helpful for depression. When compared to other people in the community, long-term functioning of the individual described in the vignette was rated poorly, especially in terms of increased likelihood to attempt suicide (85%) and reduced likelihood to be a productive worker (64%). Approximately 30% of participants reported reduced confidence/comfort while approximately half of participants reported greater interest in providing mental health-related care compared to cardiovascular disease. The participants also highlighted several areas for future mental health training they wished to undertake.ConclusionsWe have identified positive attitudes towards mental illness in our study. Participants correctly identified and supported evidence-based interventions for mild to moderate depression. However, we highlighted the need for ongoing mental health training to address knowledge gaps and enhance the confidence in providing mental health-related care. |
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| Keywords: | Community pharmacists Mental health literacy Stigma Attitudes Depression |
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