Last year The Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation made a great deal of progress towards safeguarding access to mental health services for health care workers. Through its WellBeing First Champion Challenge, as of September 1, 2024, 1 dental licensure board, 29 medical licensure boards, and 4 nursing licensure boards verified their licensing applications do not include intrusive mental health questions—benefiting more than 1.1 million licensed health workers.
WellBeing First for Pharmacy Professionals
While a lot of work has been done in many health care fields, there is still progress to be made for pharmacy professionals.
Most states offer mental health support and recovery programs for pharmacy professionals that help pharmacists, interns, and technicians find treatment for mental health and substance use disorders (SUDs). Although these programs are confidential, pharmacy professionals are often concerned about the potential or perceived disciplinary actions they may face if they seek this type of support.
As state boards of pharmacy join the WellBeing First Champion Challenge, pharmacy professionals can see states’ commitment to supporting licensee’s mental health and wellbeing.
Current Mental Health Support, Recovery Networks, and Confidentiality
Pharmacy mental health support and many recovery programs highlight their programs’ confidentiality agreements, allowing pharmacy professionals to receive help with the assurance that the board of pharmacy will not be informed of their participation in treatment programs, providing there is full compliance with the treatment program. However, current pharmacist mental health or substance use disorder (SUD) disclosure requirements vary from state to state.
At least 12 state boards of pharmacy operate such programs for pharmacy professionals. Other states collaborate with third party providers to offer treatment options to pharmacy employees.
NABP is planning a forum for administrators of pharmacy professional mental health and recovery programs to convene in 2025. This forum will provide program administrators with the opportunity to discuss research, advocacy, education, and policy development with their peers.
How You Can Help
The Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation is encouraging all pharmacy professionals to contact their state board of pharmacy and ask them to join the WellBeing First Champion Challenge. The foundation’s website includes a pre-written email message, making it simple to advocate for change.
