Pharmacists must support each other
PHARMACISTS are being encouraged to check-in with their colleagues and offer each other support, following the release of data from the US showing the profession’s suicide rate is higher than the general population.
The longitudinal analysis of suicides among pharmacists between 2003 and 2018, reported that the age-adjusted rates for pharmacist suicides in 2004, 2009, and 2014 were 19.6, 20.1, and 18.2, respectively, per 100,000, while the age-adjusted rate for the general public was 14 per 100,000 in 2017.
The study, published in the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association, noted that “pharmacists were significantly more likely to have a reported job problem, current treatment for mental illness, and less likely to have a substance abuse issue,” than the general population.
Pharmacists’ Support Service (PSS) Executive Officer, Kay Dunkley, told Pharmacy Daily, that there was very little information about suicide rates in pharmacists in Australia, but stressed the need for the profession to work together to support each other.
“As a profession we all need an increased awareness of the importance of checking in with our colleagues and offering our support, not just in relation to suicide, but also overall wellbeing,” she said.
“To be able to care for others we need to care for ourselves and to do this we need to be working in supportive environments with a strong team who look after each other.
“Any death by suicide is a tragedy and reaching out to someone who is struggling can make a big difference.
“If you are concerned do not be afraid to ask if a colleague is having thoughts of suicide.
“If they are struggling or having thoughts of suicide encourage them to seek help.”
Dunkley noted that despite the increased pressures and stresses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the suicide rate in the general population in Australia had not increased.
“PSS has not seen an increase in callers reporting thoughts of suicide during the pandemic despite call numbers to PSS increasing overall,” she said.
“Suicide is usually a response to existential suffering when someone feels they have no other option to escape that pain or an unbearable situation.
“So even though pharmacists have been under extreme pressure in recent years from bushfires, floods and COVID-19 with many now experiencing exhaustion and burnout this will not necessarily lead to increased suicidal thoughts in members of the profession.”
Pharmacists who are experiencing a crisis situation, which may or may not include thoughts of suicide can seek support from the PSS on 1300 244 910, the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 437 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.