Find meaning in May

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Although the public’s knowledge and understanding of mental health has in many ways moved in the right direction in recent years, there are still many people who believe in mental health stigmas, do not appreciate the different mental illnesses that can affect someone, and, indeed, still many people suffering from mental health conditions with little to no support.

This year, Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW), 12-18 May, continues to aim to bring awareness to these issues, while encouraging people to deepen their understanding of mental illnesses.

One in every eight people in the world live with a mental health condition, according to the World Health Organization. This can include stress, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), schizophrenia, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

These conditions can range in severity, but anyone suffering with their mental health can feel its impact on their daily lives. For some people, it can prohibit them from working, socialising and performing ‘simple’ tasks. Dealing with this is even more difficult when people are not educated on mental illnesses, as they may not be aware that they have a condition or know where to look for help. All of this is made harder by the feeling of facing this alone.

Emphasis on community

“Our theme for MHAW this year is community, as being a part of a safe, positive community is an important protective factor for our mental health and wellbeing,” says Alexa Knight, director of England for the Mental Health Foundation – the charity that runs MHAW. “We thrive when we have strong connections with other people and supportive communities that remind us, we are not alone. Communities can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and give us a sense purpose.”

Community pharmacies will know all about this sense of community and will be aware more than most of the impact a community can have on an individual – which is all the more reason to raise awareness this MHAW. “We invite pharmacy teams across the UK to get involved. Perhaps you can host an awareness activity or event in store, team up with local community groups to showcase what is available to people in the area, share mental health information resources, such as those found on our website, and share the MHAW content and resources on social media accounts,” says Alexa.

There is also a Wear It Green Day on Thursday 15 May which invites people to wear green clothing to raise awareness and funds which the pharmacy can participate in. The: mentalhealth.org.uk/wear-it-green-day website offers free, downloadable materials including bunting, posters and activities, too.

Beyond MHAW

While it is brilliant to draw attention to mental health awareness during this week, it is important to remember that mental health conditions, misunderstandings and problems will persist beyond 18 May. The pharmacy can continue to be a safe space for customers and colleagues alike to receive support and guidance. “Pharmacies are an important hub in the community and your teams are interacting with people regularly, building relationships and trust,” says Alexa. “Support your teams with training to enable them to be able to engage in open conversations about mental health and wellbeing with customers and colleagues.

“Foster a supportive culture where people feel comfortable discussing mental health concerns without fear of stigma.”

One of the most valuable skills pharmacy teams can have when it comes to mental health support, is being knowledgeable about mental health services available in the area to refer customers to. Knowing when you need to refer someone to the pharmacist or other services and having resources on hand to share with customers can make the world of a difference to their mental health journey. “Our publications are available to download for free (or hard copies by post for a fee) from our website: mentalhealth.org.uk,” says Alexa. “They contain information on a variety of mental health topics include Our Best Mental Health Tips, How to Manage and Reduce Stress, How to Sleep Better, and How to Manage Fear and Anxiety.”