Learn more about MH-SPACE

Why MH-SPACE?

Australia’s frontline community pharmacy workforce can do more to support the health and wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This project focuses on upskilling pharmacists, who are trusted, accessible healthcare professionals, to provide mental health support for First Nations people.

The aim of MH-SPACE is to establish Mental Health Safe spaces in community Pharmacies, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Consumers, and we hope to do this by Educating pharmacists to provide culturally safe and appropriate care to support the health and wellbeing of First Nations peoples. The MH-SPACE Trial has been funded by the Australian Government’s Medical Research Future Fund (Indigenous Health Research Scheme).

What will happen during the MH-SPACE Trial?

The MH-SPACE training package involves both existing training materials (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health First Aid Training, elements of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s Deadly Pharmacist Foundation Training course) and new, co-designed materials focusing on culturally safe care in community pharmacies and skills assessment. All training materials have been developed with First Nations stakeholders. The effectiveness of training will be evaluated in a Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) of simulated patient site visits (mystery shopping using co-designed skills assessment materials enacted by First Nations actors) in participating pharmacies in western New South Wales, northern Western Australia (Kimberley and Pilbara regions) and the Northern Territory. The primary outcome measure is the proportion of standardized patients who receive appropriate mental health support and first aid from pharmacists during site visits. Secondary outcome data includes responses to validated questionnaires, participants perceptions of training, interviews and focus groups with participating pharmacists and actors.