by A. Nicole Murray, Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate, University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy
Pharmacists have always played an important role in caring for patients with mental illness.1 Pharmacists are accessible and trusted healthcare professionals, making them an ideal point of contact for a patient suffering from a mental health condition. Mental illness affects a large segment of the population. According to research conducted in 2013, 1 in 6 adults in the United States reported taking a psychiatric medication in the previous 12 months.2 More recent evidence indicates that the global pandemic has increased the prevalence of mental health-related issues.3 As a result, pharmacists must be proactive to meet the increased needs of the patients they serve.