Pharmacies to be mental health hubs

NSW State funding to deliver mental health training to pharmacists across the state will transform pharmacies into “safe spaces” for patients, Pharmacy Guild of Australia NSW Branch President, David Heffernan, believes.

Following the announcement of the NSW Government’s $1 million pharmacy mental health pilot, which aims to train 5,000 pharmacy employees to identify signals of anxiety and depression, Heffernan said the program, which will be developed by the Guild, will make pharmacies a “first port of call” for patients.

“We’re looking to partner with organisations like Suicide Australia and the Black Dog Institute,” Heffernan said.

“[The program] will teach pharmacists where to refer patients, not just to the GP, making sure we’re tapped into all the Primary Health Networks and health providers out there.”

Announcing the funding measures, NSW Mental Health Minister, Bronnie Taylor, said the program would initially focus on training pharmacists in drought-affected areas.

“In regional areas, pharmacists are often the first to notice someone in mental distress,” she said.

“This training will give pharmacists the tools to support the community, from immediate care through to finding the most appropriate specialist services.”

However, Heffernan said the program would be open to all pharmacists in the state, adding that he would “encourage pharmacists to work in the mental health space”.