When working as a pharmacy assistant, you constantly interact with new people, many of whom have a visible physical injury, but mental illness is invisible, writes Samantha Crawford in the March issue of Retail Pharmacy Assistants e-magazine.
Raising awareness, starting a conversation and assisting with empathy are essential, says Belinda Neil, a former police inspector and author, who is a board member at FearLess, a national charity advocating for people experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 12 per cent of Australians will experience PTSD in their lifetime. Women are nearly twice as likely to develop PTSD than men, despite misconceptions.
Research suggests this is because the type of trauma that women are more likely to be exposed to presents an overall higher risk of them developing PTSD.
What is PTSD?
Almost all of us will experience at least one traumatic event in our lives, but everyone responds differently to trauma. Both a one-off and a reoccurrence of a traumatic event can lead to the development of PTSD, which is a severe reaction to such an event.
According to national mental health charity SANE Australia, four main groups of symptoms are common in those experiencing PTSD:
- Flashbacks of the traumatic event.
- Feeling emotionally numb.
- Feeling anxious or jumpy for no reason.
- Avoiding reminders of events.
FearLess board member Belinda Neil says PTSD symptoms include “flashbacks and nightmares, irritability and lacking concentration, being agitated, or emotionally numb”.
“Many people affected by PTSD, anxiety, depression, or other mental illness may seek pharmaceutical assistance for symptoms including headaches, sleeplessness, stomach issues and various assorted ailments,” she said. “If you have concerns or think someone might be at risk, especially if they’re a repeat customer, don’t be afraid to have a chat with them, ask if they’re OK, and advise them that their local GP is a good first contact for health issues.”
Overcoming the stigma
Those living with mental illness are often confronted with stigma and shame, but seeking help is the first step in regaining control over your life, Ms Neil says.
“There’s a common misconception that PTSD [affects] only defence force personnel or first responders,” she said. “However, persons may be affected due to natural disasters – like the recent bushfires and floods – domestic violence, serious assaults and even serious car accidents.”
Ms Neil says someone affected by PTSD may avoid seeking help due to the stigma.
“For example, they may fear being labelled weak or ‘damaged’, and may feel shame,” she said. “Comments like ‘get over it’ or ‘it’s not that bad’ not only can make a person with PTSD feel worse, but they may also withdraw and turn to dangerous coping methods like alcohol or drug abuse.”
Starting a conversation
FearLess, a charity that “works with people living with the consequences of PTSD”, hopes to combat the stigma those living with mental illness often confront, and improve the help-seeking avenues available to people experiencing the disorder.
More than one million people in Australia suffer PTSD and more than three million family members who live with people experiencing the disorder daily, according to the FearLess website.
“Our vision is to create a coordinated network of outreach and support services to help those with lived experiences of PTSD and their families regain control over their daily lives,” the site states.
“These services will centre on a community-owned and operated post-traumatic stress protocol we are currently developing.
“FearLess is actively working with the University of Sunshine Coast to develop appropriate approaches to PTSD management and support to become part of a national program available to all Australians and New Zealanders who live with this injury.”
To start a conversation about PTSD, FearLess hosted the first ‘National Conversation’ in 2019, an event that won a ‘best cause’ award for Queensland.
Ms Neil says this brought together “people who have PTSD, live with or care for those with PTSD – including but not limited to veterans, first responders, domestic violence organisations, leading medical and other research scientists, insurance companies, and various organisations that support those with PTSD”.
“Since then, we’ve held a number of free webinars and, in 2021, a virtual National Conversation on ‘PTSD in an era of trauma’,” she said.
Ms Neil emphasises that starting a conversation is the first step to building “vital networks” to “get things done”.
“Prior to our first National Conversation in 2019, there were in excess of 3500 groups in Australia working on various aspects of PTSD, and yet there was no national forum or scheme where sufferers and their families can share information or get the help and support they need,” she said.
“A conversation helps build relationships and vital networks, which in turn helps to get things done. We need to be able to speak out as one voice to better represent those who need help.”
Be empathetic, compassionate, non-judgmental
In their role in aiding their communities, pharmacy assistants will assist many different people, including those living with PTSD. Ms Neil says showing compassion, empathy and non-judgement is crucial.
“PTSD is a serious illness that can severely disrupt someone’s life and their families if they don’t get professional help,” she said. “It’s so important to show compassion and empathy and be non-judgemental when interacting with someone who may have PTSD.
“Most retail pharmacy assistants will know what to do and say to a customer with an obvious physical injury – for example, one with a bandage wrapped around the head. Please consider that mental illness is an invisible wound, so imagine the bandage is there.
“Please know that there are ways to manage PTSD. The first step is to seek help and advice from a GP who may refer to a mental health professional who has experience treating people with PTSD.”
If you need help, please contact:
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
To learn more, visit:
This feature was originally published in the March issue of Retail Pharmacy Assistants e-magazine: rpassistants.com.au/retail-pharmacy-assistants-march-2022
