People starting an antidepressant appreciate health professional support in the early weeks of treatment. It might make the difference between someone continuing on treatment (or even starting it) and their depression improving or them not benefiting.

As part of the pharmacy team, community pharmacy technicians have great potential to support people with depression.

In the UK in 2023-24, Department of Health and Social Care figures show that 750,000 people over the age of 18 were diagnosed with depression each year – that’s roughly 60 per community pharmacy. Most people with depression are prescribed an antidepressant.

Although they are not recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for mild depression “unless that is the person’s preference”, waiting lists for talking therapies are often long and many people therefore request or agree on an antidepressant.

People with depression may not regard themselves as ‘patients’, especially where they feel there is a possible cause and they are otherwise well. This is why NICE refers to ‘the person’ in its guideline on depression (NG22), and this module does the same.

Talking to a health professional can remove the emotion or worries a person may have had if they were talking to a friend, colleague or family member.

For example, they may be worried about stress at work, not coping with family dynamics or have concerns about being viewed as a failure. 

A conversation where the medicine is the focus has an obvious purpose and shows that the pharmacy team is there to support them and offer an opportunity for regular contact with a healthcare professional. 

A conversation when the antidepressant is first dispensed can have a powerful effect on whether the person will go on to take the medicine.

Privacy is always crucial, so an invitation to the consultation room is essential – even for a brief discussion.