Continuing the Conversation and the Need for Persistent Efforts to Identify and Address Mental Health Issues

According to the National Alliance on Metal Illness (NAMI), since 1949, the month of May has been designated as Mental Health Awareness Month in the United States.¹ Due to the ongoing mental health crisis that affects individuals across all age groups, it is vital that efforts to identify and address mental health are an integral part of daily clinical practice. A recent publication in JAMA Network ² revealed that over the last decade, the percentage of emergency room visits for mental health issues has almost doubled among pediatric patients and young adults, thus emphasizing the need for more efforts to address mental health issues.² Moreover, numerous publications have highlighted the increased rates of mental health issues such as anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic among both adult and pediatric populations. Additionally, elevated stress levels and mental health issues, including anxiety and depression, have been documented among health care providers across all practice settings due to the increased work demands and staff shortages, especially during the pandemic, and still exist.

In addition to the ongoing mental health crisis, on May 3, 2023, the Surgeon General issued an advisory entitled the “Surgeon General’s Advisory on our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation,” ³ which discusses and addresses the public health crisis of loneliness, isolation, and deficiency in social connections in the U.S. It also highlights the need to expand efforts to assist individuals in need of mental health resources. In the advisory, the Surgeon General indicated that loneliness and isolation may augment the risk of developing mental health challenges, and healthy social connections are beneficial in fostering physical and mental health. Additionally, the advisory indicated that poor or insufficient social connections are correlated with an augmented risk of CVD, stroke, and dementia, with reported rates of 29%, 32 %, and 50%, respectively.³ Moreover, the advisory notes that a lack of social connections is correlated with an augmented risk of premature death of more than 60%.³ The advisory also provides measures that may be beneficial in addressing the lack of social connections and increase positive social connections for all individuals. ³

In a press release, the Surgeon General, Dr Vivek Murthy, stated, “Our epidemic of loneliness and isolation has been an underappreciated public health crisis that has harmed individual and societal health. Our relationships are a source of healing and well-being hiding in plain sight – one that can help us live healthier, more fulfilled, and more productive lives. Given the significant health consequences of loneliness and isolation, we must prioritize building social connection the same way we have prioritized other critical public health issues such as tobacco, obesity, and substance use disorders. Together, we can build a country that’s healthier, more resilient, less lonely, and more connected.” ³

On May 1, 2023, the NAMI launched the #MoreThanEnough campaign for the 2023 Mental Health Awareness Month to assist individuals and their families dealing with mental health issues. The program is designed to provide support and help individuals to understand that they are not alone, direct individuals and their families to valuable resources, and to encourage individuals to seek help. More information can be found @ https://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/Awareness-Events/Mental-Health-Awareness-Month.

Conclusion

Solving the ongoing and increasing mental health crisis warrants a multidisciplinary approach and will be complex and challenging. The first step is to continue bringing the issue to the forefront and implementing measures that may aid in reducing barriers to getting treatment and eradicate the stigmas often associated with mental health issues, which may encourage individuals to seek help. Many health care providers administer depression and anxiety screenings during office visits which may be vital in recognizing someone struggling with mental health issues. The next steps are to help patients understand that they are not alone and direct them to various mental health resources. Pharmacists can assist patients by possibly identifying someone struggling with mental health issues, encouraging them to seek health from their primary health care provider, and providing them with information about the valuable resources available from many of the manufacturers of medications prescribed for mental health issues, including education and support resources as well as cost-saving programs. Pharmacists can also make clinical recommendations when warranted that are tailored to patient need to improve patient adherence to selected therapy and to enhance clinical outcomes.

While May is designated as Mental Health Awareness Month, every day provides an opportunity to help someone in need and to encourage individuals to seek help to improve and maintain mental health and overall health and well-being.

A valuable 2023 Mental Health Tool Kit is available on the Mental Health America website @ https://mhanational.org/mental-health-month.

To my fellow pharmacists, take time every day to relax and destress to maintain your overall health and well-being. Remember you are an essential health care provider, and you are INDISPENSABLE.

References

1. Mental Health Awareness Month. National Alliance on Mental Illness website.  2023. Accessed May 3, 2023.  https://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/Awareness-Events/Mental-Health-Awareness-Month  
2. Bommersbach TJ, McKean AJ, Olfson M, Rhee TG. National Trends in Mental Health–Related Emergency Department Visits Among Youth, 2011-2020. JAMA. 2023;329(17):1469–1477. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.4809.
3. New Surgeon General Advisory Raises Alarm about the Devastating Impact of the Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation in the United States. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website.  Published May 3, 2022. Accessed May 3, 2023 https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2023/05/03/new-surgeon-general-advisory-raises-alarm-about-devastating-impact-epidemic-loneliness-isolation-united-states.html

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