Abstract
About this talk
Background: Mental health is an emerging public health challenge in Lesotho, yet many individuals continue to experience barriers in accessing mental health information, support, and appropriate care. Stigma, limited awareness, and cultural beliefs surrounding mental illness may influence healthcare-seeking behaviours and contribute to delayed interventions. In some communities, mental health challenges are still associated with supernatural explanations, while social expectations may discourage individuals, particularly men, from openly expressing emotional distress or seeking help. Pharmacy professionals are among the most accessible healthcare providers and frequently interact with patients through medicine dispensing, counselling, and health education. These routine interactions provide opportunities to identify possible mental health concerns, promote awareness, support medication adherence, and facilitate timely referrals.
Objective: This presentation aims to highlight the potential contribution of pharmacy professionals in strengthening community mental health promotion and improving access to mental health support in Lesotho.
Approach: This presentation is based on professional practice experience and observations gained through daily interactions with patients within the healthcare setting. Reflections from routine pharmacy services, patient counselling encounters, and observed community healthcare challenges are used to explore opportunities for expanding the role of pharmacy personnel in mental health promotion.
Key insights: Practical experiences suggest that communities require increased mental health awareness, improved access to information, and stronger referral pathways. Pharmacy professionals, due to their accessibility and continuous patient contact, can serve as important contributors to early identification of mental health concerns, stigma reduction, medication counselling, and linkage of individuals to appropriate healthcare services. However, challenges such as limited mental health training, inadequate integration of pharmacy personnel into multidisciplinary healthcare teams, and shortages of pharmacy staff in some healthcare facilities may limit this contribution.
Conclusion: Strengthening the role of pharmacy professionals within community mental health initiatives can support a more preventive, accessible, and patient-centred healthcare approach in Lesotho. Recognizing pharmacy personnel as key partners in public health can contribute to improved mental health awareness, earlier support-seeking behaviour, and stronger primary healthcare systems.
Keywords: Mental Health Promotion, Community Health, Pharmacy Professionals, Primary Healthcare, Health Systems Strengthening, Lesotho.
Speaker
About the speaker
