By Hailey (Mook) Wicker, PharmD
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, in 2024 (the latest year for which data is available), 23.4% of adults (61.5 million people) reported experiencing mental illness in the past year, and among people 12 or older, 16.8% (48.4 million people) had a past-year SUD.1 Enter Mental Health First Aid. Have you heard of it?
When you deliver first aid, it is giving immediate care to someone who is injured or sick until full medical treatment is available.2 Mental Health First Aid is the similar concept of being the first source of support for someone who is facing mental health or substance use challenges. APhA has collaborated with the National Council for Behavioral Health to develop a Mental Health First Aid program specifically for pharmacy professionals (pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and student pharmacists) to improve the understanding of the presentation of mental illness and SUDs and share effective engagement strategies for patients, colleagues, and loved ones. This program is especially important given the amount of people who are experiencing mental illness or a SUD.
Relevant to all practice settings
APhA’s Mental Health First Aid program covers how to identify the risk factors, signs, symptoms, and warning signs of anxiety and panic attacks, depression and suicide, schizophrenia, psychosis, and SUDs. Additionally, the program prepares learners to incorporate and act on a Mental Health First Aid Action Plan for people who may be experiencing any distress or symptoms. Recently refreshed in early 2026, the program also includes information on 988, the suicide hotline and updated relevant statistics related to mental health.
Participants of the course will experience programming that is relevant to all pharmacy practice settings, not just community pharmacy, including those working in call centers, inpatient settings, or nontraditional roles. Programming will inspire participants to move from hesitation or avoidance to being prepared and willing to engage with individuals experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge. Additionally, past participants of the program have noted how the program helped them recognize unconscious judgment toward patients with mental illness or SUDs.
The program is accredited for 4 hours of continuing education credit for both pharmacists and technicians. Mental Health First Aid: Pharmacy is available for purchase in APhA’s Learning Library for both members ($60) and nonmembers ($75). Participants will also receive a certificate at the completion of the program.
Hailey (Mook) Wicker, PharmD, is the APhA associate director of custom education in Washington, DC. In her spare time, she is a dedicated cat mom of two who enjoys baking, crafting, reading, and Taylor Swift.
References
1. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2025). Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (HHS Publication No. PEP25-07-007, NSDUH Series H-60). Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Available at: https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt56287/2024-nsduh-annual-national-report.pdf
2. American Heart Association. First Aid Guidelines. Available at: https://cpr.heart.org/en/resuscitation-science/first-aid-guidelines/first-aid