Lean on your pharmacist for support with depression

PEOPLE affected by depression are being encouraged to seek advice and support from their local pharmacist.
Research for an awareness campaign found that many people find it difficult to discuss depression openly.
The information from the Lean on Me campaign found that close to 40 per cent of people would feel comfortable talking about depression to their pharmacist.
Actress Mary McEvoy, who lives with depression and manages it on an ongoing basis, is supporting the campaign.
“I have lived with depression for over 15 years and it is the community support network that I have around me that helps me now to manage my condition and lead an engaging life.
“I need different levels of support at different times and my pharmacist and GP play an important support role, in addition to my friends and family. I am on medication to manage my depression and I have a great relationship with my local pharmacist, who is available at all times to answer any questions, queries or concerns I may have about the condition or my treatment,” she remarked.
President of the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) Rory O’Donnell said, “Community pharmacists are healthcare professionals who are just as qualified to support people living with depression as they are to advise on other chronic physical ailments like diabetes and high blood pressure.
“Because depression is not diagnosed with a blood test or other diagnostic tool people find it more difficult to understand and, therefore, a difficult subject to broach. Lean on Me Pharmacy is about encouraging people to talk about depression and to understand that support is available.”