Overdose
& Poisoning

For Pharmacists

Pharmacists are in a unique position to support those in need due to their accessibility and trust, frequent interactions with healthcare clients and mental health consumers, access to medical records, and distribution of mental health and highly lethal medications. While pharmacists are not trained to diagnose mental health conditions, they can play a role in recognizing potential signs of suicide or serve as a resource for individuals seeking help.

The following list outlines a few examples of how pharmacists can act to prevent suicide: 

• Exercise active listening, compassion, and empathy.
• Receive training to identify and screen individuals for suicide risk.
• Disseminate crisis support and suicide prevention resources.
• Add suicide prevention crisis resources to pharmacy bags.
• Ensure protocols are in place for referring people to additional mental health support.
• Collaborate with other healthcare team members.

Suicide Prevention Resources for Pharmacists: The following resources were developed to assist pharmacists in learning to identify the warning signs for suicide and have conversations with and provide resources to patients in need.

• Columbia Suicide Risk Screening Tool for Pharmacists opens in a new windowopens PDF file
• Pharmacists Can Play A Role Warning Signs Poster opens in a new windowopens PDF file , Pharmacists Can Play A Role Warning Signs Pocket-Card opens in a new windowopens PDF file and You Are Not Alone Customizable Pharmacy Bag opens in a new windowopens PDF file . These items were developed as part of statewide suicide prevention efforts in California funded by county behavioral health agencies and the Mental Health Services Act. Additional suicide prevention materials that can be shared with patients are available in many different languages and can be downloaded for free at www.suicideispreventable.org opens in a new window