Rogie Royce Z. Carandang, PhD, Featured in Pharmacy Today
, Assistant Professor in the Department of Health, Behavior, and Society at the says that pharmacists feel unprepared to handle mental health crises, despite being among the most accessible healthcare providers.
Royce and his colleagues' research, published in the May–June 2025 issue of JAPhA, reveals a compelling truth: Pharmacists want to help. They express a strong willingness to engage in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training—a program that teaches professionals to identify, respond to, and refer mental health emergencies. Yet, as Carandang discovered, a tension exists between acquired knowledge and practical confidence. While MHFA training significantly boosts pharmacists’ skills in supporting patients, barriers like time constraints, systemic workflow pressures, and lingering stigma often prevent full integration into daily practice. One of the study’s most striking insights? Pharmacists emerge from training with heightened competence, yet still report mixed feelings about applying it—highlighting a vital need for hands-on experience and tailored, ongoing education.
Read the complete article in magazine and explore Carandang’s methodology, the global implications of his findings, and actionable steps for integrating MHFA into pharmacy practice.