Mental Health

As pharmacy professionals battle with their own challenges regarding mental health, the optimal role of psychiatric pharmacists is yet to be defined.

Pharmacy Times spoke with Dr. Mark Pollack, MD, about Mental Health Awareness Month and the latest information on depression/medication adherence.

Addressing the underlying causes of pharmacist burnout is essential, according to Melissa Santibañez, PharmD, BCCCP, a critical care clinical pharmacist at Memorial Regional Hospital.

Recent surveys have found high rates of occupational burnout among hematology and oncology pharmacists, with more than half or survey respondents reporting burnout.

The most common symptom of patients seeking evaluation for post-COVID-19 syndrome was fatigue.

Further, more than 67% of respondents indicated that vaccination will benefit their physical health, as well.

The historical and cultural foundations of the use of psychedelic drugs, the failure of the war on drugs in the United States, and multiple examples of other countries successfully legalizing psychedelics without societal problems developing as a result make a clear argument for the legalization of psychedelic medicine.

Loneliness and social isolation have been particularly significant problems for patients with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic, likely due to isolation and social distancing, according to a study published in Cancer.

The researchers analyzed health outcomes in 283 heart attack survivors between 18 and 61 years of age, with an average age of 51 years.

In an interview with Pharmacy Times®, Melissa Santibañez, PharmD, BCCCP, assistant professor at Nova Southeastern University College of Pharmacy, Fort Lauderdale, Florida; and critical care clinical pharmacist at Memorial Regional Hospital, Hollywood, Florida, discusses the value of a pharmacist on a patient care team.

For this Mother’s Day, Caroline Carney, MD, MSc, FAPM, CPHQ, explains the importance of understanding the correlation between mental health and heart health in women aged 65 years and older.

More than half of participants in the MDMA-assisted therapy arm no longer qualified for a post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosis after 3 sessions, compared to 32% in the control arm.

The research sheds light on the biopsychological process that can lead to poor grades, withdrawal from classes, and even students who drop out, whereas 40% of freshman do not return to their university for a second year in the United States.

Caroline Carney, MD, MSc, FAPM, CPHQ, chief medical officer of Magellan Health, a board-certified internist, and a board-certified psychiatrist, discusses the impact of trauma and stress on overall health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been linked to a 44% increase in insomnia disorder among health care workers at a medical-school affiliated health system, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.

Caroline Carney, MD, MSc, FAPM, CPHQ, chief medical officer of Magellan Health, a board-certified internist, and a board-certified psychiatrist, discusses the correlation between heart health and mental health.

Sudden disruptions in the supply of street drugs when the COVID-19 pandemic began were associated with an increase in overdose deaths and other harms.

During the Renaissance, a theory emerged in Europe regarding the source of human madness: a stone that was wedged deep inside the brain.

Pharmacy Times® interviewed Dennis O’Neill, president and board member of Biomedican, to discuss how providers are looking to psychedelic medicine to treat certain mental health disorders.

This study, published in Molecular Psychiatry, builds off of previous research into biomarkers for tracking suicidality, post-traumatic stress disorder, and Alzheimer disease, according to the authors.

Path to helping patients with mental health issues can include residency and board certification.

Caroline Carney, MD, MSc, FAPM, CPHQ, CMO of Magellan Health, discusses how pharmacists and other medical professionals can boost their brain health and keep a positive mindset while working during the pandemic.

Among surveyed American adults, more than half were diagnosable with probable depression at baseline, in addition to 65% who had anxiety and 51% at risk for post-traumatic stress disorder.

Caroline Carney, MD, MSc, FAPM, CPHQ, CMO of Magellan Health, discusses how pharmacists can be first line in noticing changes in patients’ cognitive functioning.

This week is National Brain Awareness Week, so Pharmacy Times® interviewed Caroline Carney, MD, MSc, FAPM, CPHQ, CMO of Magellan Health, on some of the issues surrounding the contemporary understanding of mental health and brain health.