Barriers to mental health care and stigma perception in doctor of pharmacy students across the United States.

INTRODUCTION: Pharmacy students are significantly less likely than medical students to seek on-campus mental health services, though barriers are not well known. This study's objective is to expand on perceived barriers to seeking care for mental health concerns among doctor of pharmacy students in the United States. METHODS: An institutional review board-exempt, online survey was disseminated to eight pharmacy programs' students assessing mental health barriers to care, resource interest, attitudes towards treatment, and stigma. Quantitative data were analyzed aggregately and by gender, program type, employment status, and education year. Free-text response analysis used thematic coding. RESULTS: Common barriers to care included lack of time (20.2%), financial support or resources (13.2%), and preferring to solve the issue independently (13.2%). About half agreed their programs had sufficient resources to support mental health (58.4%). Suggested resources included on-site counselors (14.5%), pet therapy (13.4%), and wellness activities (12.3%). Students reported high rates of perceived internal stigma, yet low rates of stigma towards others. No significant differences were found among employment status or program type, but first-year students had more positive attitudes towards mental health treatment. Females were significantly more likely to agree mental health treatment was effective and less likely to view someone differently who received treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Common barriers to care included lack of time, finances or resources, and concerns of being viewed differently. Additionally, substantial stigma exists, particularly public perception and concern for negative impact on future opportunities. Programs should take initiative to understand students' needs and interest in support services.

Assessment of mental health needs and barriers to care in students enrolled in doctor of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences programs.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study is to identify doctor of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences students' perceived barriers to mental health care and interest in mental health interventions and to assess student attitudes and perceptions of mental illness. METHODS: A mixed-methods survey was given to 706 students participating in a doctor of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences curricula to assess students' perceived barriers to care, interest in mental health resources and interventions within their curricula, attitudes towards seeking treatment, and perceived stigma. The last section included free text responses in which students expressed additional comments unacknowledged by previous sections. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, and free text responses were analyzed using thematic coding. RESULTS: From February to March 2018, 256 responses were received out of 706 students with a response rate of 36%. The most cited barriers to seeking mental health treatment were lack of time, lack of finances, and stigma-related concerns (25%, 13%, and 11%, respectively) with the most desired interventions being the implementation of an onsite counselor and wellness space. A majority of participants (88%) believe professional help for mental illness is effective; however, 63% cited they were negatively impacted by internal stigma. Common themes addressed in the free text responses reinforced these ideas and included additional responses regarding the impact of school culture. CONCLUSION: Students within a doctor of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences program experience non-stigma and stigma-related barriers to seeking mental health treatment.