A pilot program to deliver mental health training to 5,000 pharmacists and pharmacy staff has been launched across the State’s drought-affected areas.
Announced by Deputy Premier John Barilaro and the Minister for Mental Health, Bronnie Taylor, the program is set to help pharmacy staff better understand mental health issues such as suicide, depression and trauma.
“With the ongoing impact of drought, bushfires and COVID throughout the regions, our communities are dealing with financial stress and uncertain times,” Mr Barilaro said.
“We want to provide more opportunities for people to talk with health professionals about their mental health,” he said.
“Every conversation that helps a person’s mental health is the opportunity to save, or improve, a life.”
Mr Barilaro said the training would be run by the NSW Branch of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia and pharmacists would display a ‘mental health safe space sticker’ in their pharmacy.
Mrs Taylor said the training would begin in September and would deliver a 5,000 strong legion of trained pharmacists in drought-affected areas.
“In regional areas, pharmacists are often the first to notice someone in mental distress,” Mrs Taylor said.
“This training will give pharmacists the tools to support the community, from immediate care through to finding the most appropriate specialist services,” she said.
