Roles and perceptions of community pharmacists in suicide prevention in Jordan: A cross-sectional study

Suicide is a major global public health issue, with mental health disorders closely linked to suicidal behaviors. Community pharmacists, as accessible health care providers, can play a key role in prevention but face challenges like limited training and societal stigma.

This study aimed to evaluate community pharmacists' awareness regarding suicide warning signs, identify perceived barriers to engaging in suicide prevention, and assess their attitudes and perceptions regarding their role in mental health support in Jordan.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted from August to September 2024 among practicing community pharmacists registered with the Jordanian Pharmacy Association. The study survey was distributed electronically through social media and professional networks, included questions on demographics, knowledge of suicide warning signs, training, experiences with suicidal patients, and perceptions of their role in mental health support. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26 (IBM Corp.).

A total of 412 pharmacists participated in this study. Regarding familiarity with suicide warning signs, 150 (36.4%) reported being familiar; however, confidence in identifying suicide warning signs was low, with only 73 (17.7%) feeling very confident. Among the 208 (50.5%) pharmacists who encountered patients with suicidal thoughts, common warning signs included withdrawal from activities (181, 87.0%) and feelings of hopelessness (179, 86.1%). In response to these situations, 187 (89.9%) pharmacists provided empathetic support, 172 (82.7%) encouraged seeking professional help, and 167 (80.3%) assessed the seriousness of the situation. Barriers to effective intervention included cultural barriers (329, 79.9%), lack of training (327, 79.4%), and fear of offending patients (323, 78.4%).

Community pharmacists in Jordan recognize the importance of their role in suicide prevention but face barriers such as lack of training and cultural sensitivities. Enhancing training and providing clear guidelines can improve their effectiveness in supporting mental health and suicide prevention efforts.