Charity launches wellbeing campaign for pharmacists

Pharmacist Support - the profession’s charity - has launched a new campaign urging pharmacists to prioritise their own mental health and wellbeing in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic.

The ACTNow campaign, launched in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Week, will run until the end of August.

A dedicated website has been created as the central hub of information for the campaign. By signing up to ACTNow with an email address, pharmacists and pharmacy students will have access to a range of resources such as posters, tips, learning modules, videos, among others with relevant routine updates.

Through this dialogue, the charity hopes to highlight some of the interesting ways people’s lives and jobs have changed since the Covid-19 outbreak.

Pharmacists Support noted: “By encouraging people to open up about the things they’ve struggled with and that they’ve learnt about themselves in the process, the charity hopes to give others – who may feel overwhelmed & out of their comfort zone - the reassurance they need that they are not alone.”

Its Chief Executive Danielle Hunt said: “We know that those in the pharmacy profession are always there for others. Here at Pharmacist Support we want to be there them.

“Now more than ever, we feel we all need to work together to support the profession through this challenging time. We’re delighted therefore that so many organisations have already partnered with us to share our ACTNow message and resources."

The campain has been jointly sponsored by Alphega Pharmacy, The Pharmacists’ Defence Association and Well.

Commenting on the Alphega Pharmacy sponsorship of the ACTNow campaign, Raj Nutan, Head of Alphega Pharmacy – UK said: “We are excited to develop our own support to Alphega Pharmacy members’ by using the fantastic toolkit of materials it provides, as part of its “Mental Health & Wellbeing”.

“Alphega Pharmacy is committed to supporting its members with mental health and wellbeing and has long-term plans to develop its Alphega Pharmacy Business Mentors as Mental Health First Aiders.”

Paul Day, Director of the Pharmacists’ Defence Association said: “The PDA and our members donate more than £30,000 per year to Pharmacist Support to help fund activities that support pharmacists when they need it and that are complimentary to the support and services that the PDA provide to the profession. We are delighted to be able to help the charity to help pharmacists improve and maintain their wellbeing.”

Commenting on Well’s sponsorship of the ACTNow campaign, Janice Perkins, Pharmacy Superintendent said: “As pharmacy teams look after the health and wellbeing of communities across the UK, and have to deal with the pressures that brings every day, so we’re sponsoring the ACTNow campaign to help look after their wellbeing.”