Developing a partnership with NAMI and psychiatric pharmacists.

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Public Health
• Pharmacy

Background:

• The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is a key advocacy group for individuals with severe mental illness.
• NAMI members, predominantly older females, express a strong need for information regarding psychiatric medications.
• There is a significant gap in understanding and collaboration between NAMI members and psychiatric pharmacists.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the information needs of NAMI members concerning psychiatric medications.
• To evaluate the awareness and involvement of psychiatric pharmacists with NAMI.
• To explore the potential for a collaborative partnership between NAMI and psychiatric pharmacists.

Main Methods:

• Surveys were distributed to 8 NAMI chapters in Southern California to gather data on member demographics and information needs.
• A nationwide survey of psychiatric pharmacists was conducted to ascertain their awareness of NAMI and membership status.
• Pharmacist qualifications, including Board Certification in Psychiatric Pharmacy (BCPP), were also assessed.

Main Results:

• NAMI members overwhelmingly (92%) consider information on psychiatric medications very important, with 79% desiring more.
• The NAMI membership surveyed was predominantly female (70%) with a mean age of 61.
• While 80% of psychiatric pharmacists have heard of NAMI, only 17% are members, despite over 50% holding BCPP.

Conclusions:

• A significant unmet need for psychiatric medication information exists among NAMI members.
• Psychiatric pharmacists possess specialized expertise that could greatly benefit NAMI members through education.
• Establishing a partnership could foster mutual understanding and improve mental health care by bridging the gap between patients and pharmacists.