Pharmacy and Medical Students’ Mental Health Symptoms, Experiences, Attitudes and Help-Seeking Behaviors

Abstract

Objective. To examine and compare the prevalence of mental health problems, help-seeking attitudes, and perceptions about mental health problems among US pharmacy and medical students. Methods. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using existing, anonymous survey data collected in the Healthy Minds Study during the 2015-2016 academic year. The analysis included 482 students (159 pharmacy students and 323 medical students) from 23 institutions in the United States. Analyzed topics included demographic characteristics, mental health status and symptoms, substance abuse, stigma related to mental health, help-seeking behaviors and attitudes, and mental health treatment perceptions. Results. Pharmacy and medical students experienced similar rates of depression (18% met clinical cutoffs), but pharmacy students were more likely to meet clinical cutoffs for anxiety (21% vs 11%). Pharmacy students were less likely to seek help from student counseling services (only 11% vs 49%) and also less likely to know where to seek help on campus if needed. Pharmacy students also reported having higher levels of stigma regarding mental health treatment. Conclusion. There are differences between pharmacy and medical students with regards to their experience of mental health symptoms, willingness to seek help, and perception of stigma. Despite the small sample, this analysis of national data indicates that opportunities exist to improve campusbased mental health education and offerings for pharmacy and medical students.

Prevalence of Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms Among Pharmacy Students

“…15 In a separate study, Fischbein and Bonfine assessed the prevalence of clinically significant depressive and anxiety symptoms in medical and pharmacy students using the PHQ-9 and GAD-7. 16 For depressive symptoms, 19% of pharmacy students and 18% of medical students reported clinically significant scores. 16 For anxiety symptoms, 21% of pharmacy students and 11% of medical students reported clinically significant scores.…”

“…16 For depressive symptoms, 19% of pharmacy students and 18% of medical students reported clinically significant scores. 16 For anxiety symptoms, 21% of pharmacy students and 11% of medical students reported clinically significant scores. 16 Our study and the current literature confirm that it is common for pharmacy and other health graduate students to experience clinically significant symptoms of depression and anxiety.…”

“…16 For anxiety symptoms, 21% of pharmacy students and 11% of medical students reported clinically significant scores. 16 Our study and the current literature confirm that it is common for pharmacy and other health graduate students to experience clinically significant symptoms of depression and anxiety. Therefore, administrators of health-science graduate programs should strive to ensure adequate provision of mental health resources for students.…”

Mental Health Literacy and Help-Seeking Behaviours Among Undergraduate Pharmacy Students in Abha, Saudi Arabia

“…2 Students in the health profession disciplines, including pharmacy students, encounter a high level of stress due to academic overload and other factors that can have a negative impact on their mental health and well-being. 4 Smith and Shochet suggested a positive correlation between mental health literacy and help-seeking behaviour in university students. 5 University students have limited mental health literacy skills to assist them in recognising mental health issues and seeking professional help when needed.…”

Check-In: An Educational Activity to Address Well-Being and Burnout among Pharmacy Students

“…Previous studies on pharmacy students’ mental health have attempted to capture student stress levels or well-being at a particular point in time, finding that pharmacy students experience academic distress and worse mental health, including maladaptive coping strategies, depression, and anxiety [ 9 , 10 , 11 ], which can vary depending on the student’s year in the program [ 11 , 12 , 13 ]. Mindfulness training has been applied to pharmacy students by two studies.…”