You may not give a second thought as you dispense an antihypertensive medication to an elderly patient. It makes sense, nothing out of the ordinary. But what goes through your mind, however briefly, when a woman asks for emergency contraception? When a gentleman cannot afford his opioid replacement therapy? When a young man presents a new prescription for an antiretroviral? When a mother is taking multiple antipsychotics? When an individual begins their gender transitioning process and asks about the adverse effects of their hormone replacement therapy? 

I trust that the majority of you will maintain your professionalism and deliver the care these patients need. However, on a deeper level, some of these situations might make you uncomfortable. Our minds become defensive whenever we are uneasy and attempt to restore normalcy.  If we allow our judgments and preconceived notions to go unchecked, we can unintentionally create a barrier between us and patients, the people whom we took an oath to care for.

In October, Daniel Galipeau (fourth from right) participated in the 2017 APhA 5K Fun Run/Walk at APhA headquarters in Washington, DC.

It is safe to say that pharmacy school is stressful. When you add life, work, family, and finances into the mix,  stress can become overwhelming. 

When I am overwhelmed, I think about my stressors, which makes me more stressed. Does that happen to you? What I have found is that one of the best methods to manage stress effectively is through group activities. Here are my top five ways to de-stress for success.

Group exercise

Exercise is a great way to relieve stress. However, it can get pretty boring running or biking by yourself, especially if you plan on anything longer than 20 to 30 minutes. Why not bring along an exercise buddy or two? After I joined a running group, I found that not only was my motivation easier to keep up, but I could push my workout even further. If you don’t like to run or bike outside, many gyms and health centers have group classes for everything, from Zumba to cycling to yoga. Shedding your stress while shredding some dance moves to Shakira or Bruno Mars is a great way to get in shape and have a great time, too!

I am a student pharmacist, like you, and I have struggled with mental health for most of my life. I suffered from depression during high school and have had generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) for as long as I can remember. I used to be ashamed that I had these conditions. I now see that my shame was because of society’s perception and the stigma around mental health disorders. 

When I learned that GAD is an actual disorder and that my constant, overwhelming anxiety was not my fault, it felt like a huge weight lifted off me. I also realized that I did not have to battle depression alone as a teenager and that seeking treatment would have saved me from the gut-wrenching emotional and physical pain I endured for years in silence. No one should have to suffer mental health disorders in silence or feel that they are alone. I promised years ago that I would be more active in helping others with similar mental health conditions. 

When I was presented with the opportunity to write this article, I was initially hesitant to rip open old wounds. But then I remembered APhA–ASP President Michael Murphy’s theme “Begin Your Legacy” and Alex Sheen’s 2017 APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition keynote speech, “Because I said I would.” I realized I need to be more proactive if I want to leave my legacy as a humanitarian who helped others with similar mental health conditions as mine, and that means stepping out of my comfort zone. I am beginning my legacy here, by sharing my story to help student pharmacists understand how depression and anxiety affects a person, and so that they can better empathize with the people who suffer from these disorders. 

Stigma often arises out of naivety. People tend to reject what they do not understand and cannot see. Educating others on these disorders can help break those negative perceptions. I also want to let those who are living with depression and anxiety know that they are not alone and that there is hope. Over the years, I formed bonds with people who also have anxiety over a mutual understanding of what the other person is battling. They have become my support system on the hard days, when my anxiety is too heavy to carry alone. My hope is that I can help at least one other person find their support system and encourage them to open up.