We all have mental health and it influences how we feel about ourselves as well as how we interact with the world around us, from communication to dealing with life events. Mental ill health is very common and can affect anyone. In fact:

• One in four people will have a mental health condition in their lifetime
• People with severe mental health problems have an average reduced life expectancy of between 10 and 25 years
• People with a mental illness are almost twice as likely to die from coronary heart disease as the general population, four times more likely to die from respiratory disease and are at a higher risk of being overweight or obese
• Some people can, and do, recover from mental ill health, while others manage their conditions.

Pharmacy professionals can play an important role in helping people living with mental health conditions and improving their lives. Supporting their wellbeing, resilience and independence will help optimise life chances, as well as reduce premature mortality.

The national ‘No health without mental health’ policy defines good mental health as a positive state of mind and body; feeling safe and able to cope; and a sense of connection with people, communities and the wider environment. Levels of mental health are influenced by the conditions people are born into, grow up in, live and work in.

Pharmacy professionals can help support patients with mental health conditions by encouraging parity with physical health conditions and treating people as individuals, seeing the person in front of them, not the condition.