Beyond Blue: Discussing Depression and Suicide

Description

Left untreated, depression can become chronic or refractory, increasing the risk of suicide. You’re in the perfect position to screen patients for depression and talk to them about treatment options as well as mental health stigma. Learn how to start the discussion in this session, where expert presenters examine the many faces of depression and strategies for screening, destigmatizing, and engaging in difficult patient conversations. They’ll dissect case examples that illustrate ways you can help patients recognize depression and establish a path toward recovery.

Pharmacist Learning Objectives

At the completion of this application-based activity, participants will be able to

Describe the patient’s perspective of the experience of depression and suicide.
Use effective communication skills to destigmatize depressive symptoms. 
Discuss strategies for pharmacists to screen for depression and suicide.
Demonstrate how pharmacists can engage in an effective conversation with patients who experience depression or suicide.
Differentiate drug and nondrug treatment options for depression based on effectiveness, tolerability, safety, and convenience.
Given a patient with depression, cooccurring diagnoses, and medications, formulate an appropriate treatment plan aimed at recovery.

Technician Learning Objectives

At the completion of this application-based activity, participants will be able to

Describe the patient’s perspective of the experience of depression and suicide.
Use effective communication skills to destigmatize depressive symptoms.
Discuss strategies for pharmacists to screen for depression and suicide.
Demonstrate how pharmacists can engage in an effective conversation with patients who experience depression or suicide.
Differentiate drug and nondrug treatment options for depression based on effectiveness, tolerability, safety, and convenience.
Given a patient with depression, cooccurring diagnoses, and medications, formulate an appropriate treatment plan aimed at recovery.