Pharmacists, who are working on the frontline of healthcare, can play an important role in raising awareness about mental health and helping those
experiencing poor mental health.
With this belief, the Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) is encouraging its representatives at Boots to participate in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)
training offered by the company.
Nicola Rees, PDA Rep and Boots pharmacist from Solihull, who has recently undertaken training as a Mental Health First Aider, said that trained pharmacists
can help in reducing the stigma associated with mental health and identifying the early warning signs that someone may be experiencing poor mental health.
Mental Health First Aid training enables pharmacists to "support individuals and signpost to sources of advice and support."
Rees expressed that becoming a mental health first aider has empowered her and greatly increased her confidence in being able to support someone dealing with
a mental health issue, such as having thoughts of suicide or self-harm.
Being aware of and understanding our mental health is extremely important. Mental health is not simply a medical condition, it essentially encompasses our
psychological and emotional well-being.
Mental health awareness has increased in recent years, however, since the COVID-19 pandemic, awareness of our mental stability and how we process our feelings
has become all too apparent. It is important that we all learn to be open with our feelings and also be able to support others who may be struggling with their
own mental health.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) conceptualises mental health as a "state of well-being in which the individual realises his or her own abilities, can cope
with the normal stresses of work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community."
The Welsh chapter of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, along with ten other royal colleges and professional bodies, have renewed calls for the urgent
transformation of mental health services to address increasing demands on the NHS in Wales.
Representatives of the Royal College Mental Health Expert Advisory Group joined members of the Senedd in Cardiff to outline the work of the group over the past
year and to explain why a well-trained, fully supported and equipped multi-disciplinary workforce is critical for the development of care for people with mental
health conditions.
To make sustainable change happen, the group is calling for a greater focus by the Welsh government and NHS Wales on the following:
The critical changes needed to improve the delivery and structure of mental health services across Wales in community, hospital and specialist secure settings.
Parity of access to mental health services for the most vulnerable patients, ensuring they have equal access opportunities that vulnerable patients would receive for
physical health conditions.
As part of its centenary celebrations, the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has raised more than eleven thousand pounds for mental health charity Mind.
A total of £11,583 was raised for Mind and the Association continues to encourage members to support the charity.
The NPA marked its 100th birthday in 2021 and partnered with Mind in England and Wales, and equivalent charities in Scotland and Northern Ireland - SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health) and Inspire Wellbeing - to raise awareness of pharmacy services for people with mental health problems and to generate funds for the work of these charities.
The NPA held set-piece events, such as sponsored walks, and pharmacists, colleagues and their families and friends were encouraged to organise their own activities.
Chief executive of the NPA, Mark Lyonette, said: "I was delighted to be at our sponsored walk in St Albans, home of our head office, last year. This and other fundraising events all underlined the message that community pharmacies are concerned with the wellbeing of the whole person - mind as well as body."
In a significant uptick reflecting growing awareness and acceptance of mental health challenges among new and expectant mothers, NHS records reveal a
striking surge in specialist support sought by over 57,000 new mothers over the past year.
This figure represents a substantial 33 per cent increase compared to the 2022 data findings indicating a heightened demand for perinatal mental health services
in England.
Last year, the number of women accessing perinatal mental health services was 43,053 individuals.
Specifically, between March 2023 and February 2024, a total of 57,170 women accessed these services, representing a significant rise from the 43,053 women who received support between March 2022 and February 2023.
Contextually, this surge in demand is significant given that approximately 600,000 women give birth in England each year.
Pharmacist Support, a charity centred on bolstering pharmacist well-being, has launched the 'ACTNow' campaign 2023, aimed at promoting and supporting the
health and overall wellbeing of pharmacists. This campaign is launched following the successful 2022 initiative, which heightened awareness about wellbeing in
the pharmacy profession.
Launched in May 2020 in response to COVID-19 challenges, ACTNow has transformed into a dynamic platform fostering positive workplace culture, teamwork, and
individual well-being, Pharmacist Support has said. Its primary goals are to inspire individuals and teams in the profession to prioritise their well-being,
support colleagues, and proactively foster a healthier work environment.
Pharmacist Support emphasised that the 2023 ACTNow campaign will continue to prioritise fostering a positive workplace culture. "This year, the campaign will
provide individuals, pharmacy teams, and employers with essential tools, resources, and strategies to effectively support colleagues dealing with distress,
all while cultivating a growth-oriented mindset within their teams," the charity firm said.
Trauma can turn our world upside down, leaving scars that are not always visible. Whether it's a car accident, the loss of a loved one, or a natural disaster,
serious trauma can deeply affect our mental health. Coping with such events is crucial not only for our immediate well-being but also for our long-term recovery.
In this post, we'll explore six psychological tips to help you deal with the aftermath of a traumatic event. By integrating these strategies into your life, you can begin to heal and find a path forward. Keep on reading to learn more!
Understanding Trauma
What Is Trauma?
Trauma is an emotional response to a distressing event or series of events. These events can overwhelm an individual's ability to cope, leading to feelings of
helplessness, disorientation, and intense fear. Trauma is not limited to physical injuries; it can deeply affect emotional and mental health.
How Trauma Affects the Brain
When we experience trauma, our brain goes into survival mode. The amygdala, responsible for detecting threats, becomes overactive. Meanwhile, the prefrontal cortex,
which helps with rational thinking, can become underactive. This imbalance can lead to heightened anxiety, flashbacks, and difficulty concentrating.
Erection problems are common conditions that can affect adult men of any age. General awareness about erection problems has grown in recent years, and men's
partners and society at-large generally view it as a common condition. Indeed, 75% of men and their partners agree that they are a normal part of life for a man.
But despite progress to normalise the condition, the research points to the fact that men still feel responsible for erection problems.
The survey's key findings underscore the multi-faceted social pressure men feel to perform socially, professionally, emotionally, and sexually. 90% of men feel
expected to provide financial support, 80%+ feel they should be in control of their feelings, and 92% think it is expected of them to perform in bed.
Despite erection problems being commonplace, expectations about sexual performance complicate the situation and make a major impact on the lives of those it affects.
When men are confronted with erection problems, 60% expressed feeling disappointed. This disappointment, combined with the difficulty that 1 in 3 men have spoken
about it, has a strong impact on well-being. 36% of men feel their mental health has been impacted by erection problems and leads to a feeling of guilt, and 74% of
men feel responsible for difficulties in achieving or maintaining an erection.
Many of us drink alcohol on a regular basis, and when it comes to the weekend many of us have been known to overindulge a little.
For the most part we understand the dangers of alcohol. We have an understanding that it can damage our liver, exacerbate mental health conditions and lead to
addiction, with private alcohol treatment one of the few pathways to recovery.
However, there are also many other effects that we may not be quite as familiar with, but it is important to know about them, particularly if you are a heavy
drinker. Among some of the more common effects you may not be aware of, include…
Disruption of REM Sleep
Often we think alcohol gives us a better night's sleep, knocking us out for the count. However, while it does aid falling asleep, the quality of that sleep is
significantly harmed. It disrupts the normal sleep cycle by reducing the time spent in rapid eye movement sleep, a stage that is important for memory
consolidation and cognitive function.
This sleep is less restorative and is why we often feel groggy and tired the following day.
Trainee pharmacists across Great Britain are preparing to participate in Pharmacist Support's annual Trainee ACTNow Wellbeing Campaign, scheduled from
May 20th to 24th.
Organised by the charity, this initiative aims to provide essential support as trainees approach the culmination of their placements and gear up for the General
Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) assessment.
Danielle Hunt, Chief Executive of Pharmacist Support, highlighted the campaign's focus on addressing the significant stress and pressure trainees may experience
during this critical period.
She stated: "We understand the anxiety and pressure they may feel, not only in preparing for the assessment but also in stepping into their roles as registered
pharmacists."