Pharmacists across the network have spent over 660 hours training in Mental Health First Aid – developing knowledge around early intervention for issues including suicide, domestic violence, professional crises, the emotional imbalance caused by disturbed sleep, perinatal depression and anxiety, and more.
Blooms Padstow Pharmacist David Tran has been on the frontline along with his staff who have even administering Covid vaccinations as well as providing support to the hundreds who have been too fearful to leave their homes.
“Thankfully we have noticed a dramatic improvement in community well-being just in the past few weeks when lockdown lifted,” he said.
One example of the support his pharmacy has been providing was when a mum of four came in asking for pain relief treatment.
“I found out the stress of home-schooling, work, restricted travel and fear of going out to buy goods and bringing a potential infection home, was causing her huge tension,” David said.
“It had created a pain in her ribs, which further exacerbated the situation.
“In this case, we gave her an under-the-tongue vitamin spray that relieved her tension and really helped her condition in the longer term.
“I think what was even more welcome for her was knowing she had someone else she could lean on for support, someone else to talk to.”
David says his team are happy to ‘hold the hands’ of customers who are struggling.
“Plus we can point them to other services which can help too,” he said.
