Consumer perceptions of community pharmacy-based promotion of mental health and well-being

With nearly half of all Australians likely to experience a mental illness, increasing community-based mental health promotion is warranted. Community pharmacies are accessible health care destinations that effectively provide a range of public health services. This study explored consumer opinions of mental health promotion in the community pharmacy setting, the activities they have observed and the perceived role/s of pharmacy staff in this area.

A survey was informed by five interviews with pharmacy consumers and a literature review. Adult pharmacy consumers were recruited nationwide via a Research Panel company between December 2018 and January 2019. Survey data were descriptively analysed and associations confirmed by chi-square analysis.

Data were analysed from 537 of the 577 respondents; 34.3% of participants had a lived experience of mental illness. Just under a quarter of participants (23.3%) had observed mental health promotion in community pharmacy. Pharmacy was viewed as a suitable environment for this promotion by most respondents (n = 446/516), particularly those with lived experience, with a preference for in-store leaflets, posters and linking with existing national mental health organisations/campaigns. Lack of privacy and the busy pharmacy environment were identified as barriers for promotion in this setting.

There is a clear potential for mental health promotion within community pharmacies, although the uptake and impact of such activities require further investigation. SO WHAT?: These findings highlight a missed opportunity for pharmacists to engage with consumers about mental health and well-being, even though community pharmacies are accessible health care destinations.