Featured in The West - Mental Health Week Feature

This year’s Mental Health Day theme; “Our minds, our rights” is an opportunity for people to unite for the betterment of everyone’s mental health... because good mental health is a human right.
 

Mental health affects how we think, feel and act from childhood through the often-challenging teen years and beyond to adulthood.
This year’s Mental Health Day theme; “Our minds, our rights” is an opportunity for people to unite for the betterment of everyone’s mental health... because good mental health is a human right.
The day aims to raise awareness, enhance understanding and support those in the community who are struggling with mental health issues or illness.

Community pharmacists play an important role in improving mental health outcomes, guiding the community to make healthy choices and are an accessible and trusted support for patients to check in with on a regular basis.

Community pharmacist interventions for older adults
Older adults can be vulnerable to mental health issues for a range of reasons including medication mismanagement, loneliness or social isolation, barriers to connection or support through technology and accessibility, as well as dementia and declining cognition.

“Interventions provided by community pharmacists can have a substantially positive impact on the mental health outcomes of older adults,” Negar Almassi, Pharmacy 777 Pharmacist said.

Benefits of engaging with community pharmacists include receiving education about prescribed medications, support for medication-taking habits, recognition of changes in mental health status through observation and screening, access to support resources when needed, and reviews of medications to check for any unwanted mental health effects.

With the majority of Pharmacy 777 Pharmacists trained in Mental Health First Aid, they have the skills to approach, assess and assist people experiencing mental health problems and crises.

“Complex and ongoing medical conditions can worsen mental health, and each condition has a treatment with potential to interact with other medications. Even if someone has been on medication for years, their body changes as they age, and their medications may need to as well,” Negar added.

“Sometimes it’s possible to improve symptoms by simplifying a medication regimen. Pharmacy 777 Pharmacists routinely provide medication reviews in collaboration with GPs, to ensure the unique requirements and health priorities of older adults are considered in planning and developing patient-centred care.

“This is especially important in rural communities, where access to medical resources and support is limited.”
777 Pharmacists can also offer guidance and advice for carers who may be facing burn out.
Caring for a loved one is rewarding, but can be a strain on the physical and mental health of care providers. It can also increase social isolation, which often impacts mental health.

“Our aim is for older adults to stay well connected in the community, and with their local pharmacist, and ultimately live in their own homes for longer,” Negar said.

“Sometimes just having a conversation with your Pharmacist about yourself or a loved one can help ease your mental load. We’re here to support you.”

Pharmacy 777 can provide help and support for carers with medication management, lifestyle aids, compounding solutions, wound care, nutritional advice and supplements to reduce stress and fatigue, useful resources and referrals to counsellors and other allied health care professionals.

To further support older people and  carers, various Pharmacy 777 pharmacies are in close proximity to residential aged care facilities and can provide home support and medication delivery options*.Conditions apply.