AAPP Foundation Supports 2 Annual Meeting Sessions

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The AAPP Foundation is thrilled to be supporting two sessions at the 2023 AAPP Annual Meeting, to be presented live in Atlanta, Georgia and livestreamed for virtual attendees. These sessions align with the Foundation’s mission to advance the psychiatric pharmacy profession by supporting research, scholarship, and practitioner development.

Stories Among Us: Lived Experiences with Mental Illness

Moderated by: Kelly Gable, PharmD, BCPP (Moderator), Professor and Director of Well-being and Resilience, SIUE School of Pharmacy, Edwardsville, IL

Session Summary

One in five U.S adults experience mental illness each year. Mental illness can affect anyone, including healthcare professionals. Literature supports that specifically in pharmacy education, stigma towards patients with mental illness is a significant concern. Likewise, within the pharmacy profession, evidence suggests that even pharmacists with many years of experience may still have negative perceptions of patients with mental illness. This stigma is reported amongst other mental health care professionals and notably is illustrated in literature that shows psychologists reluctancy in disclosing their personal mental health concerns for fear of negative consequences. With the known prevalence of mental health concerns, it is likely that members within AAPP have experiences with mental illness that, if shared, can break down the stigma that surrounds mental illness even within our own profession. Sharing these stories, struggles, frustrations, and outcomes may help to foster greater empathy and understanding towards our peers, colleagues, and patients.

In this session, four individuals will share lived experiences with mental illness, including their journey to find a suitable treatment plan, as well as experienced stigma and life or career challenges. Moderator Kelly Gable, PharmD, BCPP, will guide participants through an empathy-building exercise, help participants reflect on current perceptions of peers living with mental illness, and provide evidence to ultimately improve patient interactions and care.

Display

The AAPP Foundation is proud to be sponsoring the Stories Among Us display in Atlanta, showcasing stories of mental illness among AAPP peers. We encourage attendees to take some time to read the stories and to share their own if they feel so inclined.

Understanding the Unique Mental Health Needs of the Refugee Population

Presented by: Arash Javanbakht, MD, Director, Stress, Trauma, and Anxiety Research Clinic (STARC), Detroit, MI

Session Summary

As threats such as war, persecution, and natural disasters around the world continue, it is estimated that 1 in 100 individuals will become a refugee in the near future. Psychiatric pharmacists can play an important role supporting individual members of the refugee population who experience depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder, which occur at higher rates than the general population. However, pharmacists must be trained to support the mental health of this population and reduce barriers to accessing care. Cultural differences not only impact the willingness of members of a refugee population to seek treatment, but if treatment is sought, these individuals often face racism, bias, and discrimination from health care providers. In the session, participants will explore factors impacting mental health and identify cultural considerations when working with the refugee population to establish culturally sensitive care.

Join us in Atlanta or online for these impactful sessions!

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