UT–Austin APhA–ASP Chapter members Helen Zhou (left) and Michelle Tran provided students with handmade anti-stress bubble wrap packages during finals week last fall.

Public perception of mental health has undergone great changes over the past several decades. Topics such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were often disregarded and only rarely viewed as diseases. Even now, mental illnesses are still associated with a large stigma and many people view the issues as something to “get over” rather than to treat. Although there is a more public understanding that has increasingly developed on the subject, the outdated concept of ignoring mental illnesses is still extremely harmful to afflicted patients. 

With this in mind, The University of Texas (UT) at Austin College of Pharmacy APhA–ASP Chapter started a new operation last year called Operation Brain. The initiative emphasizes enhancing the mental health awareness and education for both student pharmacists and patients. 

Operation Brain has two main objectives: to facilitate conversation around mental health and to concurrently help health professionals in need.

In 2001, SLI activities included an APhA egg hunt on the National Mall.

This July marks the 20th anniversary of the APhA–ASP Summer Leadership Institute (SLI). Established in 1997, the SLI has become an annual celebration of and training for student pharmacist leaders across the country. Approximately 3,000 student pharmacists have “graduated” from SLI, many of whom have gone on to apply these leadership skills as APhA–ASP regional or national officers, post-graduation as officers of state or national associations, and positional and non-positional pioneers in their fields of pharmacy.

Inception and continued vision

A look back to the spring 1997 issue of Pharmacy Student (renamed Student Pharmacist in 2005) reveals the forward thinking in the development of SLI. Josh Benner, APhA–ASP President at the time, wrote, “The success of our profession depends on the successful development of today’s students, who are tomorrow’s leaders… [this is] a valuable investment in pharmacy’s future.”

Over 2 decades, student pharmacists have been exposed to keynote speakers such as Sheryl Benzon, who spoke to the significance of professionalism and leaders as coaches (versus managers), and Ron Culberson, who challenged attendees to re-evaluate stressful situations and achieve success.