Evaluation of a student pharmacist-led depression screening program in a community pharmacy

Area of Science:

• Pharmacy Practice
• Mental Health Services
• Public Health

Background:

• Depression affects 1 in 5 US adults and is a leading cause of death.
• Community pharmacies offer accessible settings for mental health interventions.
• There is a need to evaluate novel approaches to increase mental health service accessibility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scores in a community pharmacy setting.
• To evaluate participant satisfaction with a student pharmacist-led depression screening program.
• To explore willingness to utilize pharmacy-based mental health services.

Main Methods:

• Student pharmacists conducted depression screenings using the PHQ-9 in a community pharmacy.
• Participants received mental health education, referrals, and resources.
• A 2-week follow-up assessed actions taken and satisfaction.

Main Results:

• 70 participants completed screenings; average PHQ-9 score was 3.96.
• 92.9% found the program helpful; 92.3% were comfortable seeking mental health services from a pharmacist.
• Over 50% engaged with educational materials; 16.9% made a healthcare appointment.

Conclusions:

• Student pharmacists can effectively deliver depression screenings and mental health education in community pharmacies.
• Participants reported high satisfaction and willingness to use pharmacy-based mental health services.
• Community pharmacies are a viable setting for expanding mental health support.