On this page, one of our Listening Friends details how the act of volunteering benefits their mental health and wellbeing.
Listening Friends is our peer support service offering members of our pharmacy family the opportunity to speak anonymously and in confidence to a trained volunteer pharmacist. It provides those working or studying in pharmacy an opportunity to talk about the pressures they may face so they can try and find clarity and solutions.
I’m a community pharmacist with a lot of experience in the sector. At present, I am a locum pharmacist but I have been a manager in the past. I live on my own and have a son and a daughter.
I have been a Listening Friend for ten years now and I love doing it.
Several years ago, one of my male colleagues committed suicide and it made me realise that the stresses that come with being a pharmacist may have contributed to his death. I made the decision to become a Listening Friend in the hope that it may help others, even if in only a small way.
The companionship and support of my fellow Listening Friends when we meet. We are a close network of friends who support each other and have a laugh. And of course, the knowledge that many of my callers have clearly valued the service.
There is no typical caller. I would say that trainee pharmacists need a lot of support and worry about exams and lack a lot of confidence in their ability. It’s an isolating and difficult year for them. Poor relationships with a superior or tutor and disciplinary issues have occasionally led to mental health problems and sick leave. Just recently I have seen an increase in pharmacy proprietors who have business worries.
Please ring us! Every Listening Friend is a pharmacist and trained listener. We will have at least an idea of your concerns as many of us may have experienced something similar at some time in our career.
“The satisfaction of knowing you have helped a fellow pharmacist to cope with a difficult period in their life is second to none.”Nina*, Listening Friend for over 10 years
It’s rewarding to know you may have helped someone in some way, even if small, to improve their life. It lifts my spirits and I feel good when I finish a case.
As I have developed my skills, I’ve realised that I am capable of empathy but I can step back if I feel I’m getting too emotionally involved. I was always scared I wouldn’t be able to do this!
If you have an hour a week to give to someone else, go for it. The satisfaction of knowing you have helped a fellow pharmacist to cope with a difficult period in their life is second to none. You won’t regret it.
You have to give in order to receive! Giving is important for everyone to boost their wellbeing and self-worth.
If you’re interested in volunteering for Pharmacist Support, take a look at current opportunities or sign up to our e-newsletter to be the first to know when new volunteer vacancies arise.
Hey! I’m Nahim Khan and I’ve been a pharmacist for nearly 11 years. I work as a portfolio pharmacist in academia, GP practice and community pharmacy. Like a lot of other professionals, the COVID-19 pandemic caused lots of changes to my routine. I started working from home for part of the week and for me,…
Read Anne Cawdron, a former pharmacist and Pharmacist Support volunteer, detail how exercise benefits her mental health and wellbeing, and her experience of running the London Marathon.
Hear from Sureena Clement, a fellow pharmacist, about how the act of giving supports her own mental health and wellbeing…
Listening Friends is our anonymous peer support service. The support provides you with an opportunity to talk with a trained volunteer pharmacist about the stresses or pressures working in or studying pharmacy may be causing you.
