Pharmacy Daily | Seek the support you need: McBride

PHARMACISTS are being urged to be proactive in seeking support for their mental health.

Speaking at Pharmacy Connect on Sat, pharmacist and Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Emma McBride, stressed the need for pharmacists to overcome "self-stigma" to ensure they look after themselves.

McBride encouraged pharmacists to access services provided by indemnity insurer, Pharmaceutical Defence Limited (PDL) and the Pharmacists' Support Service (PSS).

"As people who want to help other people we often do that at the expense of our own mental health and wellbeing," she said.

"As healthcare workers it's something that there is still a lot of stigma and self-stigma.

"We're people who are trained to help other people and so we can feel quite overwhelmed when we need to seek that help ourselves, but I would encourage you to seek that help that is available to you, and to make sure your mental health and wellbeing is well supported.

"It's something that we as healthcare workers do overlook while we're caring for others."

Pharmacists were also advised to reach out for support at last night's Pharmacy Guild of Australia Pharmacy Industry Roadshow in Sydney last night.

Responding to a question about what support is available to pharmacists who are burnt-out by the stresses and strains of the COVID-19 pandemic, PDL Chair, Paul Naismith, encouraged pharmacists to seek support.

"You are not alone in the pressure you feel," he said.

"That's why we have services like PSS, if you feel you can't cope... we all have challenging times.

"All I can do is encourage you to ring that number and you'll speak to someone just like you.

"You'll speak to another pharmacist who has also had times where they've worried about their role, how they're going to cope.

"If you can't do that, I encourage you to speak to your colleagues, your friends."

PSS Board member, Curtis Ruhnau, told attendees that the services can be contacted every day of the year between 8am and 11pm AEST/AEDT on 1300 244 910.

"The only person you'll talk to is a volunteer pharmacist who has given up two days of their time to learn how to be there as a crisis councillor for us," he said.