When we think of first aid, our thoughts may turn to a crying child with a skinned knee, or perhaps a fall that results in a sprained ankle. More serious incidents involve traumatic injury or the need for Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation. All require varying degrees of immediate care and front line pharmacists (those working in retail settings) are frequently asked for suggestions when it comes to non emergencies.
But what about people having a mental health crisis? What about the woman picking up her blood pressure meds fighting back tears? What about fear in the eyes of someone experiencing a panic attack in a busy store? Or, what about those even more dramatic episodes when an individual seems to be in imminent danger of hurting him or herself and immediate intervention is crucial? Retail pharmacists are now being trained to spot mental health problems.
Nate Rickles, Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice, recently completed a train-the-trainer course in Mental Health First Aid sponsored by the National Council for Behavioral Health and this summer he is offering training sessions for pharmacy students and practicing pharmacists in a series of seminars held at the School of Pharmacy. He plans to offer more sessions throughout the next year through the Office of Pharmacy Professional Development. A pharmacist’s role in health care continues to grow.
For the pharmacists in attendance, there is Continuing Education credit. And for the students, many of them P-2s who are being introduced to the School of Pharmacy’s mental health curriculum this fall, the training gives them greater understanding of the role they may play in the future in the recognition and management of symptoms related to such conditions as anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation.
According to Rickles, just as administering CPR helps an individual having a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid helps in assisting someone experiencing a mental health related crisis.
“This course is designed to be a first response to the type of mental health crisis that can occur anytime and at any place,” he says. “That’s why it is crucial for pharmacists to be able to respond accordingly when they see someone in crisis – to be able to provide initial support until appropriate clinical treatment can be provided. It’s getting someone to the next point – the point where they can get treatment for their mental illness or substance abuse problems. It’s also an important start towards removing the stigma from mental illnesses and treating mental health needs with the same sensitivity and support we would treat anyone with a physical problem.”
In the course, attendees learn risk factors and warning signs for mental health concerns, strategies for helping someone in both crisis and non-crisis situations, as well as becoming familiar with local mental health resources, and knowing where to turn for help.
The concept for a Mental Health First Aid course originated in Australia in 2001 under the sponsorship of a national nonprofit health promotion charity focused on training and research. The program has spread worldwide and, befitting its origin, its mascot is a Koala named ALGEE.
The acronym stands for Assess for risk of suicide or harm. Listen nonjudgmentally. Give reassurance and information. Encourage appropriate professional help. Encourage self-help and other support strategies.
The seminar held at the UConn School of Pharmacy on July 19th included an audience of UConn pharmacy students as well as pharmacists who work in various aspects of the profession – as community pharmacists and in the pharmaceutical industry. Along with Rickles, the seminar was co-hosted by Meagan Bell from Health 360/AmeriCorps, a youth health services program that was recently honored by the National Council for Behavioral Health with its 2019 Award of Excellence in Mental Health Community Impact.
