Mental Health Care: A Handbook for Pharmacists

Mental illness is a significant global health concern that affects more than one billion people around the world. Despite the substantial impact on mental health conditions have on morbidity and mortality, many individuals do not receive adequate mental health care services. In fact, in low and middle income countries, more than 75% of people with mental, neurological or substance use disorders receive no treatment for their conditions. These issues have been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which contributed to both increased rates of mental illness as well as reduced availability of mental health care services. Many of these issues can be traced back to the global shortage of mental healthcare professionals and expertise. To address this shortage and contribute to improving global health, pharmacists have an opportunity to increase their engagement in mental health care service delivery. With their knowledge and training, pharmacists are well-suited to provide a range of mental health care services.