Public awareness of Mental Health First Aid and perception of community pharmacists as Mental Health First Aid providers.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to (1) identify the number of participants who screened positive for major depressive disorder, (2) assess the number of participants who have discussed or would like to discuss mental illness with a trained professional, (3) determine public awareness about Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), and (4) determine public perception regarding community pharmacists trained in MHFA. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was administered at community pharmacies to participants aged 18 years and older who were able to speak and read in English. The 18-question survey was used to screen for major depressive disorder using the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2) and to collect demographic information, mental health diagnoses, beliefs regarding current mental illness and treatment, desire and history of talking with a trained professional about mental illness, and MHFA awareness. In addition, data on comfortability talking to a pharmacist about mental illness was collected. Data were analyzed with an a priori α of 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 358 surveys were collected. Seven participants (2%) screened positive for depression using PHQ-2. One hundred eight participants (30.4%) reported a previous desire to speak to someone about mental illness; of these, only 41 (38.7%) and 63 patients (59.4%) reported speaking to a physician or therapist, respectively. Only 53 participants (15.4%) reported awareness of MHFA. Participants reported a higher level of comfortability (P < 0.01) speaking about mental illness with an MHFA-trained pharmacist. Similarly, participants more strongly agreed (P < 0.01) that pharmacists are qualified to discuss mental illness if trained in MHFA. Most participants believed pharmacists should be trained in MHFA (n = 260, 68.2%). CONCLUSION: Participants indicated comfortability discussing mental illness with community pharmacists trained in MHFA, revealing an opportunity for pharmacists to expand access to mental health services by being trained in MHFA and counseling about mental illness.