Psychiatric Pharmacy: New Role of Pharmacists in Mental Health

Volume 2 - Issue 4

Abdul Kader Mohiuddin*

Received:July 22, 2019;   Published: July 26, 2019

DOI: 10.32474/SJPBS.2019.02.000144

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Abstract

Psychiatric disorders are one of the major causes of global burden of diseases. Stigma remains a major impediment in the delivery of mental healthcare. It has been found across various studies that attitudes of doctors of other specialties and other healthcare professionals also contribute to stigma due to their lack of knowledge and awareness about psychiatry and mental health problems. The number of mental health professionals remains abysmally low. Community pharmacists are accessible, knowledgeable, and capable of providing mental health promotion and care in communities. This may not be a role that is recognized by the public, and men in particular. However, psychotherapy paired with medication is the most effective way to promote recovery. Examples include: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Exposure Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, etc. Pharmacists can play a key role by providing mental health medication management support to improve access and address patients’ mental health needs.

Keywords: Mental Health; Mental Disorders; Social Stigma; Barriers to Access Mental Health; Anxiety and Depression

Abbreviations: NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness; QOL: Quality of Life; PCPs’: Primary Care Providers’; PCMHs : Patient- Centered Medical Home; MHPSS : Mental health and psychosocial support; ABS: Australian Bureau of Statistics; NSMHWB: National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing; CHD: Coronary heart disease; NMHS: National Mental Health Survey; MH: Mental Health; MTM : Medication therapy management; PES: Psychiatric emergency services; ADT: Antidepressant drug treatment; CANMAT: Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments; CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; MDD: Major depressive disorder; MHFA: Mental Health First Aid™; PCMHI: Primary Care Mental Health Integration; CPS: Clinical pharmacy specialist

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