Nicola Rees, PDA Rep and Boots pharmacist from Solihull has recently undertaken training as a Mental Health First Aider. Below she answers questions about the relevance of the training to her role, and how this can support patients and colleagues.
- How did you get the opportunity to undertake the Mental Health First Aid training?
The PDA is a recognised union at Boots and as part of our regular discussions with the company, we asked that PDA Reps were able to undertake the training being offered to some other Boots colleagues.
- What is the aim of Mental Health First Aid training?
There are several benefits to the training including reducing the stigma associated with mental health and being able to recognise the early warning signs that someone may be experiencing poor mental health. With this understanding, Mental Health First Aiders can support individuals and signpost to sources of advice and support.
- How did you find the training, was it what you expected?
The training was very empowering, and I came away with a lot of confidence in being able to support someone around a mental health issue, where previously I might not have felt equipped to initiate a conversation.
The trainer was inspiring and was able to bring to life scenarios which helped to keep the programme engaging. Some of the topics covered were quite challenging but overall, this helped us to feel confident in being able to offer help if ever faced with situations such as someone having thoughts of suicide or self-harm. Many of us felt that it was one of the best training experiences we had ever had!
- What are your plans to use this training in your professional practice?
As a community pharmacist I know that I will use this knowledge and training daily to support patients and feel confident in asking about their mental health and wellbeing. In healthcare, we can often focus on physical symptoms, and having undertaken the training, I am now more aware of the signs of where mental health could be an underlying issue or contributory factor.
Around 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem of some kind each year in England and since Covid-19 there are many more people feeling vulnerable and affected by mental ill health due to trauma, bereavement, and isolation, and we see this in pharmacy.
As a PDA Rep, I also support colleagues at times when they might be feeling particularly stressed or anxious and this training will undoubtedly help me in that role too, increasing my ability to support them fully and direct them to the help and support I now know is available.
I believe this is not just training to be consciously practiced though, rather it is a skill which will become part of my everyday interactions with people, be it colleagues, patients, or outside of work in everyday life.
- What do you think the impact of this training could be in the workplace?
I think the pharmacy workplace in general could benefit significantly from more Mental Health First Aiders, as the environment can be stressful with impacts such as workload pressure and encountering violence and abuse.
I personally learned a lot about strategies for managing my own mental health and wellbeing and I would recommend the training to anyone, but especially those working on the frontline of healthcare.
As a Mental Health First Aider you are obviously not trained to offer counselling or therapy, but being able to confidently navigate someone to help and support is invaluable.
I hope to encourage more people to take the training and increase the visibility of Mental Health First Aiders in the PDA Reps Network at Boots.
By Nicola Rees, PDA Rep and Boots pharmacist
The PDA believes that mental health is an important issue and that pharmacists, who are working on the frontline of healthcare, can do more to help those experiencing poor mental health and raise awareness. Those wishing to become a PDA Rep and greater support their colleagues can learn more here.
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