The Wellbeing Edition
eplacebo
COVER ART BY JAMIE BENNETT
MIA AVRAM
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER EDN
Principal Sponsors
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Content Page President’s Report - Bano Serhan Media Release: NAPSA Team Members 2023/24 Meet Jenny Kirschner founder of PALS Priceline Pharmacy Intern Program Looking after your own wellbeing & mental health - PSS Chatting wellbeing with Curtis Ruhnau - PDL Check-in with yourself and your colleagues - Dr Fei Sim Glucojel The Importance of Mental Health Awareness in Pharmacy: A Comprehensive Approach - LocumCo Wellbeing at the Pharmacy Guild of Australia PGA 2023 Workforce Survey Medicine safety in mental health care - PSA SHPA committed to supporting mental health and wellbeing SHPA Free Student Membership The Gold Standard for Pharmacy - Gold Cross Mental Health First Aid Training (SA) Review PGA Intern Training Program Pharmacy Connect 2023 PSA Free Student Membership PSA Intern Training Program Navigating the transition from student to intern - CWH PSA Upcoming Events
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President's Report PRESIDENT 23/24
Dear NAPSA members,
Bano Serhan
As the academic season reaches its peak and exam stress fills the air, so does the excitement of holidays and a well-deserved rest for all. This marks my second ePlacebo report, and I am thrilled to update you on the latest happenings within NAPSA. Behind the scenes, the NAPSA team has been hard at work, ensuring that all aspects of our association are running seamlessly. I am delighted to announce that tickets for our annual Congress event have recently gone on sale. Congress is an opportunity for pharmacy students from around Australia to get together to form relationships, attend amazing social events, learn from unique education experiences, and battle it out to see which branch is best! Congress 2024 will be hosted in Hobart, Tasmania, from Sunday 14th January - Saturday 20th January. This promises to be an exceptional experience, and I implore anyone who has not booked tickets to do so right away! You can book your tickets, and find out more information, here. At the beginning of September, members of NAPSA attended the annual Pharmacy Connect Conference held at the Hyatt Regency in Sydney. Pharmacy Connect, organised by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, is always a great opportunity for students to network with industry professionals and like-minded peers, to come together to discuss important issues facing community pharmacy both now, and into the future. Together with the PGA, NAPSA was able to provide scholarships for 3 students to attend the conference. Congratulations to Daniel Burgess (TAPS), Aliyah Petker (UWAMPS), and Daniel Liebig (UoNAPS), who were selected as the winners. You can read more about their experiences here.
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I am also happy to announce that NAPSA has renewed our partnership with the Australian Medicines Handbook, and early-bird sales are underway! Purchases are organised through branches, so get in contact with your own branch for more information, and don’t miss out on this amazing deal! Another exciting update is the introduction of NAPSA team members, a brand-new initiative designed to support both the Board and Chairs in their roles. I would like to congratulate the new Team Members on their achievements in securing a position and thank all applicants for their dedication to NAPSA. Myself, the Board, and the Chairs are looking forward to working with the incoming team over the next year, and are thrilled to see what new ideas the Team Members will bring to the table. You can find the full list of elected Team Members for the 2023/24 term here. I am also pleased to announce Cait Treloar (Griffith University, Gold Coast) has been elected as the NAPSA Research Chair for the 2023/24 term. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen commitments, Anastassija Konash (University of Western Australia, Perth) has stepped down from the role. Miss Treloar is entering her fourth year of studies and will be joining the existing NAPSA Chairs elected earlier this year. We are all looking forward to working with Cait and seeing what she achieves as Research Chair. As the holiday break approaches, I extend my warmest wishes to our NAPSA community. I hope you all enjoy a well-deserved break, whether you're staying close to home or exploring afar. Remember to prioritise selfcare so you can return to another year of study (or work!) refreshed. I'm looking forward to reconnecting with many of you at Congress in the new year, and in the meantime wish you a safe and joyful holiday season. Yours truly, Bano Serhan National President 2023/2024 president@napsa.org.au
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Meet Jenny Kirschner founder of
WHAT IS PALS? PALS, Pharmacy Addressing Loneliness and Social isolation, is the first international pharmacy initiative committed to raising awareness and addressing loneliness and social isolation to improve the health of patients and society. The longer-term goal is for an in-depth understanding of the health effects associated with loneliness and social isolation, and how to address them, to become an intrinsic part of pharmacy practice across Australia and globally.
HOW DID PALS COME ABOUT? My name is Jenny. I am a pharmacist and the founder of PALS (Pharmacy Addressing Loneliness and Social isolation). My interest in loneliness stemmed from my personal experiences of loneliness and PALS was founded to raise awareness, and educate the pharmacy community about the significant health impacts of loneliness. The health impact of loneliness include; a 29% increase in the incidence of coronary heart disease, a 32% increase in the risk of stroke, poorer cardiovascular health indicators such as elevated blood pressure, elevated cholesterol and predicts future poorer mental health severity including depression. Loneliness has also been shown to put people at greater risk of cognitive decline and dementia. We all know the patients who come into the pharmacy just for that extra little chat! Pharmacy staff are one of the most trusted health professionals. Community pharmacy is also one of the most frequently accessed primary health care networks. As a result of this trust, relationship and accessibility, pharmacy staff are well placed to identify lonely and social isolated older people. My belief is that if pharmacy staff appreciate the health impacts of loneliness, then they will feel compelled to act upon the loneliness that they can often identify in their patients.
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WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MENTAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL HEALTH? Mental health speaks to your ability to manage thoughts, emotions, and behaviours, while social health relates to our relationships and how we communicate with those around us. Whilst there is a relationship between the two, they are different. For example, loneliness and depression are both distinct constructs, however unlike depression, loneliness has not been incorporated in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV), the standard classification of mental disorders used by mental health professionals. Loneliness is a social health consideration but not a mental health condition. In other words, you can feel lonely and not be depressed. However, there is still a relationship between loneliness and mental health. For example, loneliness predicts future poorer mental health severity including depression, with a 15.2% increase in the likelihood of experiencing depression [1]. I highlight the distinction because it can be a trap for health professionals who are not educated in the science of loneliness, and they may categorise loneliness as a mental health condition.
IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU THINK LONELINESS AND SOCIAL ISOLATION IS RELEVANT TO PHARMACY STUDENTS? There is a perception that loneliness is only a concern for the elderly, but age doesn’t discriminate when it comes to loneliness. The State of the Nation Social Connection Report 2023 reveals that young people (ages 18-24) report the highest levels of loneliness in Australia. Pharmacy students fit right into this age range. While it’s normal to feel lonely from time to time, some are at higher risk of problematic levels of loneliness. Loneliness is often a consequence of multiple risk factors. Besides age, other relevant risk factors for pharmacy students (especially international students) include social transitions like moving away from home, demographic factors like non-English speaking backgrounds, and social media use, where technology is enmeshed in every social interaction. This passive consumption of social media breeds comparison and harms self-esteem– it wares people down and can result in feelings of loneliness. I believe it is important for pharmacy students to understand loneliness, how it behaves and how to respond to it. Just like hunger is an unpleasant feeling that motivates someone to seek out food, and thirst motivates someone to seek out water, loneliness is described as a pain that alerts us to care for our social body, which one needs to survive and prosper. Learning about loneliness will help protect pharmacy students' health and promote a great quality of life!
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HOW CAN WE START TO HELP DESTIGMATISE LONELINESS? Nearly 1 in 2 Australians who feel lonely are too embarrassed to admit it to others and nearly 1 in 2 Australians say they would conceal their loneliness [2]. The stigma associated with loneliness is preventing people from talking about it and seeking the connections they want. If we can increase health professional awareness of the impacts of loneliness (including mental, physical, and cognitive health impacts) and therefore talk to patients about loneliness more openly as a normal human experience, this will help to reduce the stigma. If we reduce the stigma, we can create emotionally safe spaces in the pharmacy where people can talk about their experiences. Pharmacy staff can then empower patients to take action toward greater social health, reducing their loneliness which not only improves quality of life, but can also result in greater health outcomes.
HOW CAN WE LEARN MORE? You can learn more about PALS here You can learn about PALS Loneliness Training program - a training program on loneliness offered to pharmacists, pharmacy students, and pharmacy assistants here. This will launch in 2024 so register your interest now. Follow PALS on LinkedIn and like and share the content to help raise awareness. Email me at hello@palsglobalnetwork.com with any questions or ideas
PALS also has a FREE downloadable guide: A guide to loneliness: the things I wish I knew
[1] 0 Abbott, J., Lim, M., Eres, R., Long, K. & Matthews R. (2018). The impact of loneliness on the health and wellbeing of Australians, InPsych, 40(6) [2] https://lonelinessawarenessweek.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/state-of-nation-social-connection-2023.pdf
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find out more
LOOKING AFTER YOUR OWN WELLBEING & MENTAL HEALTH As the end of the year approaches, and your life, work, and study commitments become more demanding, it’s important to take care of yourself. As students, it is so important to prioritise your mental health in order to maintain a healthy, fulfilling lifestyle. This includes making time for activities that will help you to relax, de-stress, and unwind, even while life is busy. A big challenge students face is feeling guilty when taking a break from study or work and feeling like you’re not being ‘productive’ enough. However, an important thing to keep in mind is that productivity does not equal success, health, or happiness. Allowing yourself to take breaks is actually beneficial for improving your focus and your overall mental health. It’s okay to be unproductive, to take a break, and to say no, so that you are not overcommitting your personal time. Here are some simple activities you can try this week for improving your overall wellbeing: Aim to get enough sleep – perhaps go to bed an hour earlier than usual. Ensure you eat some nutritious meals. Go for a walk outside for some fresh air and light physical activity. Even one loop around the block is often enough to refresh your body and mind. Take time to participate in a hobby that relaxes you: reading a book, drawing, listening to music or a podcast, or perhaps playing a sport you enjoy. Spend time with your pet or a friend’s pet to boost your wellbeing. Pets help to release feel-good chemicals such as endorphins and oxytocin through exercise and snuggles. Seeking support from friends, family, peers or a professional if needed.
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Ensure that you reach out for help if you do feel like you are struggling or overwhelmed. Taking care of yourself is just as important, if not more so, than your academic success. The Pharmacists’ Support Service is available for free and confidential support on 1300 244 910, 8am–11pm AEDT every day of the year. Our volunteers provide a listening ear and non-judgmental support to pharmacists, interns, and pharmacy students, so please utilise the service if you would like to speak to someone who understands. Read more about maintaining a healthy lifestyle here. Take care of yourself and best wishes as 2023 begins to draw to a close! Bethany Alley, PSS Communications Coordinator
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From the President:
Check-in with yourself and your colleagues From the COVID-19 pandemic to the introduction of 60-day dispensing, the change that pharmacists have endured have been nothing but intense and monumental. It is crucial to acknowledge the emotional toll that this journey has taken. In September we marked R U OK? Day, a timely reminder for each of us to initiate meaningful conversations about mental health, to let our colleagues know that their wellbeing matters, and that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. As a community, we can foster an environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing their experiences, challenges, and triumphs. When faced with challenges, pharmacists have demonstrated remarkable resilience and empathy. You have continued to provide essential healthcare services with dedication and professionalism. As we reflect on R U OK? Day, let's also celebrate the compassion and camaraderie that define our profession. I encourage all of you to take a moment and check in with yourself and your colleagues. Your time as a student can be very stressful, but it is an important time to learn about yourself and how you approach the challenges that life presents. Importantly, it is also a time to surround yourself with people who support you – whether in your professional or personal life. While R U OK? Day is only one day, its message is one we must carry with us each and every day. We must continue to support one another, reach out to those who may need a listening ear, and prioritise our mental well-being just as much as we do our patients. As pharmacists we are fortunate to have peer-to-peer support available from the Pharmacist Support Service (PSS), who do amazing work to support our profession. Reach out to the wonderful team at PPS for a free and confidential chat on 1300 244 910.
Dr Fei Sim BPharm (Hons) PhD FHEA GAICD FPS PSA National President
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The Importance of Mental Health Awareness in Pharmacy: A Comprehensive Approach Written by Sue Muller Mental health has always been a vital but often underemphasised aspect of general wellbeing. In the field of pharmacy, the significance of mental health is further amplified due to the stressful and demanding nature of the profession. This article aims to shed light on the importance of mental health within the pharmacy community, particularly in line with "R U OK Day" on September 14th, World Mental Health Day on October 10th, and Suicide Prevention Month in September. The Stressors in Pharmacy Pharmacists and pharmacy students face unique stressors that could potentially impact their mental well-being. Long working hours, handling sensitive patient data, ensuring medication accuracy, and maintaining up-to-date knowledge on drugs and therapies contribute to elevated stress levels. These challenges not only affect job performance but can also lead to mental health issues if not managed well. R U OK Day - September 14 "R U OK Day" is not just a day to check in on friends and family but also an opportunity to self-assess. For pharmacy students who juggle studies, internships, and exams, selfassessment can be instrumental in identifying early signs of mental fatigue. By asking this simple question, "Are you OK?", we create an environment where discussing mental health becomes normalized. World Mental Health Day - October 10 This day serves as a reminder that mental health is a global issue, affecting people from all walks of life. It should inspire us to seek institutional reforms within the educational and professional realms of pharmacy. Are there enough measures in place to ensure the mental well-being of pharmacy students and professionals? The day calls for a systemic evaluation and plan of action.
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September - Suicide Prevention Month Sadly, the high levels of stress experienced in pharmacy can sometimes lead to extreme outcomes, making Suicide Prevention Month critically relevant. A comprehensive approach to suicide prevention includes dialogue, mental health screening, and support systems. Schools and workplaces should have measures to identify early warning signs and provide immediate intervention. Strategies for Improvement 1. Support Groups: Establishing peer-led support groups where pharmacy students and professionals can openly discuss their challenges. 2. Professional Help: Providing access to counselors and mental health professionals who are familiar with the stressors in pharmacy. 3. Mindfulness and Stress Management Workshops: Regular workshops can equip individuals with coping mechanisms. 4. Flexible Work Schedules: This allows pharmacists to maintain a better work-life balance, thereby improving mental well-being. 5. Screening: Routine mental health screenings can help in the early identification of issues, facilitating timely intervention. As we observe mental health-focused events like "R U OK Day," World Mental Health Day, and Suicide Prevention Month, let us take a moment to evaluate the systems in place within our pharmacy community. The need for a supportive environment that prioritises mental health is not just essential but imperative for the overall betterment of the profession. By fostering a culture that understands and prioritises mental well-being, we not only uplift individual pharmacists and pharmacy students but also improve the quality of healthcare services they render. Therefore, it is time that mental health moves to the forefront of our professional discussions, ensuring a healthier and more productive pharmacy community.
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MEDICINE SAFETY IN MENTAL HEALTH CARE While 1 in 2 Australians will experience a mental health concern, and approximately 18% fill a prescription for mental health medicines each year, many pharmacists do not feel confident discussing mental health with patients. PSA has released the sixth report in our Medicine Safety series, with a focus on mental health care and the role of pharmacists in supporting patients. The role of pharmacists in mental health is crucial, particularly when considering the high prevalence of mental illness, the impact it can have on a person’s overall health and wellbeing, and the frequent use of medicines to treat mental health conditions. The Medicine Safety: Mental Ill Health report builds on PSA’s long-term advocacy on pharmacists’ role in mental health, from aiding in a mental health crisis, to supporting the long-term wellbeing of a patient during treatment. The evidence presented in the report makes the undeniable case that people living with a mental health condition and taking medicines need better access to the expertise of pharmacists at all stages of management. It reaffirms the important role that pharmacists play at every stage of the medicines management cycle for people living with a mental health condition who are using medicines. As students and future pharmacists, this report provides a foundation of how to best support your patients in contemporary practice, improving medicine safety and improved health outcomes for people living with mental health conditions. The Medicine Safety: Mental health care report is essential reading for every pharmacist and pharmacy student preparing to care for patients using medicines for mental health conditions, regardless of practice setting. Read the Medicine Safety: Mental health care report here.
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Mental Health First Aid Training (SA) Review Raymond Truong MPS AACPA PSA Early Career Pharmacist – Community of Specialty Interest
In Australia, mental health is established as one of nine national health priorities. As a community pharmacist, it is common for us to encounter individuals with diagnosed mental health conditions in our everyday practice particularly in our role of dispensing and counselling. The impact of COVID-19 pandemic and Australian bushfires has had a significant effect in most recent years within communities around Australia, now knowing that 2 in 5 Australians aged between 16-85 years old are estimated to experience a mental disorder in their lifetime. As such, community pharmacy staff members are in a prime position to assist those who may be identify and assist those who may be experiencing mental health distress. With the aid of MHFA learning, this acts to instil confidence in pharmacy staff members in being able to handle these situations in an appropriate and culturally safe manner. My experience with the mental health first aid (MHFA) training offered in SA had been a comprehensive course with a blended learning style of both online (MHFA Australia) and face to face learning from a certified and experienced MHFA pharmacist trainer. This blended learning had been ideal within my schedule as this allowed me to learn at my own pace prior to the day of the face-to-face workshop.
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The online coursework had not only been comprehensive, but it had been tailored in the context of pharmacy industry, as it not only raised awareness of commonly encountered mental health disorders such as: anxiety, depression, psychosis and substance use but also provided specific examples that may occur within our patient facing role within the pharmacy setting (i.e. upon collection of a script or during a HMR interview). As such, the information and examples provided had provided me a better appreciation, understanding and techniques as to when these situations may arise. In attending the face-to-face workshop, it had been a wonderful experience to be met with a pharmacist trainer who is certified, experienced, and passionate in mental health. Throughout the workshop, it had been a good learning and networking opportunity in working collaboratively with other like-minded community pharmacists and to have our learning reinforced as we worked through various components of the MHFA manual and putting our newly learnt skills and techniques upon working case scenarios together. This allowed me to become a recognised accredited mental health first aider (upon completion of the accreditation assessment). Since its completion I have been able to bring my learnings from this course to the pharmacy that I am employed at and encourage other pharmacy staff members to consider undertaking this course. Most recently, I had been able employ the skills that I had learnt from this course for a patient that had spoken to me about their recent mental health distress upon being initiated on a newly prescribed medication with concerns due to experiencing ongoing shortages of their normally prescribed medication resulting in their health condition not being adequately managed. As such, this allowed me to have a better appreciation and understanding of the situation and to create a safe space for the patient to discuss about their distress and being able to appropriately refer them to community mental health resources that are available (i.e. headspace and black dog institute.
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PHARMACY CONNECT 2023 HEAR FROM OUR SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS: DANIEL, ALIYAH & DANIEL
DANIEL BURGESS University of Tasmania STUDYING: 2ND YEAR PHARMACY
I want to express my gratitude to NAPSA for providing me the opportunity to attend Pharmacy Connect 2023. It was an enlightening and impactful experience, and I am appreciative of the effort that went into making it a success. Pharmacy Connect provided a platform for the exchange of knowledge and insights within the pharmaceutical industry. The diverse range of speakers and topics was exceptional, and the workshops were informative and thought-provoking, offering valuable perspectives on public affairs, challenges, and innovations in the field of pharmacy. This experience exceeded my expectations, and I left feeling inspired and motivated to contribute positively to the field of pharmacy. I look forward to attending Pharmacy Connect again, and would highly recommend it to everyone.
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ALIYAH PETKER University of Western Australia STUDYING: MASTER OF PHARMACY
Pharmacy Connect was an invaluable experience that allowed me to develop personally and professionally. I was able to create meaningful connections, explore clinical updates, and gain a better understanding of business and profitability in pharmacy. The Student Summit provided an enjoyable interactive platform and highlighted our growing scope of practice. To hear from so many articulate keynote speakers was extremely enriching. Pharmacy Connect was without a doubt one of the most rewarding experiences I have been a part of, creating lasting memories and expanding my skill set. I left feeling re-energized about the way we can shape our future in pharmacy and am motivated to turn my inspiration into action in an ever-evolving profession.
DANIEL LIEBIG University of Newcastle STUDYING: 3RD YEAR PHARMACY
Because of the NAPSA scholarship, I was able to attend Pharmacy Connect hosted by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia. The conference was an amazing opportunity to meet and learn from industry leaders, pharmacy owners and like-minded people who all share similar goals. I also found the student summit to be a great experience, which included a variety of subjects ranging from the use of medicinal cannabis to a motivational speaker. Overall, the entire weekend was amazing and an experience I am grateful for. This event has brought me closer together with my peers and has also given me a real sense of direction for the future in my pharmacy career.
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PSA Upcoming Events For more information on any of the PSA’s Upcoming Events, check out their website https://www.psa.org.au/networking-events/all-events/
November 2023
Online (Sydney) 22 November - Live Webinar: Supporting palliative care in South Western Sydney Hobart 22 November - Tasmania Quiz Night 2023
December 2023
Perth 1 December - Quizmas Night 2023 - Perth Online (Tasmania) 6 December - Live Webinar: Is your pharmacy Palliative Care Prepared (Tasmania)
Edited by Mia Avram NAPSA Publications Chair 2023/2024 email: publications@napsa.org.au
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