Here at www.pharmascholar.co.uk we are acutely aware of the every day pressures that Pharmacy Students / Pharmacists face in the learning space / workplace (i.e. university, community, hospital, primary care sectors).
Therefore, we feel that it is really important to support Pharmacy Students / Pharmacists in their real-world practice.
As such, we are proud to release our 10th Guest Blog from the Pharmacist Support charity.
This piece is really important in terms of helping and supporting those students studying for their MPharm degree / Foundation Year plus qualified Pharmacists in every day practice helping patients across the country.
Please reach out to Pharmacist Support if you are in need of reassurance through these pressing times.
Here is their Guest Blog:
“Who is Pharmacist Support, and how can they support me in my pharmacy career
About the profession’s independent charity
We are Pharmacist Support. We are an independent, trusted charity providing a wide variety of free and confidential support services to pharmacists and their families, former pharmacists and pharmacy students. These include Information and Enquiries, Specialist Advice, Financial Assistance, Addiction Support, Counselling and Peer Support, and the Wardley Wellbeing Service.
Understanding and supporting you, our pharmacy family
We deeply understand the issues facing our pharmacy family, and every year run a Workforce Wellbeing Survey jointly with the RPS. Earlier this year, we released the results from our 2021 survey and immediately recognised that a culture change is needed within the sector. Nine out of ten respondents reported being at high risk of burnout, and seven out of ten said their mental health and wellbeing had been negatively affected by their work or study. You can read the full report and analysis here: https://pharmacistsupport.org/news/workforce-wellbeing-results-2021/
As a charity whose mission is to champion the wellbeing of our pharmacy family, we are constantly reviewing and developing the support we offer to those in the profession. In the past year alone, we have launched a new Counselling Service, a Wellbeing Learning Platform (which offers free, short learning modules on mental health and wellbeing which you can work through at any time which suits you), and a new online Grants Portal for those who wish to apply for Financial Assistance from the charity. We also run an annual ACTNow campaign which encourages and supports students, trainees and pharmacists to manage their mental health and wellbeing whilst working and studying within the profession.
Support beyond crises
We want to support our pharmacy family even before they reach crisis point. As well as our support services, we provide free information and guidance to those who may need it. With dedicated sections for students, trainees, pharmacy work life and wellbeing, plus lots more, you’ll find support on a range of topics, including anxiety and stress management, self-management skills and supporting colleagues to look after their own mental health and wellbeing.
A taste of what to expect
Time management
Good time management is vital for our wellbeing. It enables us to realise our goals (how good does it feel to tick something off the checklist?!), spend time on potentially more important tasks and feel less overwhelmed. You might think that some people are naturally more organised but managing our time is a skill that can be learnt with a few simple strategies. Our Time Management workshop on the Wellbeing Learning Platform pulls together science-based evidence to help you learn strategic ways to manage your time more effectively.
Building Assertiveness
Do you know how to say no? Being able to respectfully say no, and having the confidence to calmly express ideas, beliefs, concerns, and opinions, valuing yourself and your time as equal to other people, (in short, being assertive), is fundamental to our wellbeing. Not everyone is naturally or feels comfortable being assertive but there are ways to make it feel easier. When learning to become more assertive it’s good to remember that above all, if you’re assertive in a good way that it isn’t rude or offensive. If you want to learn more about assertiveness, please check out our two-part learning module.
You’re not alone
If you’re reading this and you feel as though you need to speak to someone about your struggles, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
You can email us at info@pharmacistsupport.org or give us a ring on 0808 168 2233.
Pharmacist Support is here for you.
www.pharmacistsupport.org”
Pharmacist Support