Bloom program offers hope

Support provided for those struggling with mental health and addictions

TRURO, N.S. – A strong interest in mental health has led a couple of pharmacists to be among the first involved in the Bloom program.

The program enables Nova Scotians with a mental health or addiction diagnosis and a medication issue they’d like to work on, to get help from their pharmacist.

“I’ve had a lifelong interest in mental health,” said Peter Bakes, pharmacist at The Medicine Shoppe in the Truro Mall. “I’ve lived the experience and made a good recovery myself, and I like to share my expertise.

“Some people are referred through mental health and addictions services, but people can refer themselves. They often come after hearing about this through someone else.”

Bakes got involved when the pilot project was set up, a few years ago.

“I often spend an hour or more on the intake process so I have all the information I need to help someone,” he said. “We provide complementary support and are in contact with the person’s doctor.

“I really like this program because we’re helping people improve their lives.”

Malorie Weir, a pharmacist at Pharmacy First in Stellarton, trained for the Bloom program a year ago.

“I’ve seen what a benefit it is to people to provide the extra involvement,” she said. “During the first meeting we look at what we’re going to work on and how we’ll do that, and most of the people I’ve been working with are meeting their goals or going above.

“A lot of people probably wouldn’t have got the help they needed without this program. Those without family doctors often don’t know where to turn.”

There is no cost to patients to access the program and there is no waitlist.

Laura Miller, provincial coordinator for the Bloom program, said it is now operating at 23 pharmacies across the province.

“Any pharmacy can participate and we’re working to expand,” she said. “It’s a collaborative program and the pharmacist communicates with doctors, so things that may have required a visit to the doctor can sometimes be dealt with through a phone call.”

Clients must agree to use the participating pharmacy as their primary provider for medication for the duration of the program.

Bloom was created by two doctors at Dalhousie University, and in June the Nova Scotia Health Authority took over administration. Funding is provided by the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness.

“I really believe in the program because you know you’re helping people,” said Weir. “I really feel like it should be at every pharmacy.”

More information can be found on The Bloom Program website at https://bloomprogram.ca/