The free course, which the Department of Health and Social Care (DH) confirmed to C+D yesterday (June 15) that pharmacy teams are eligible for, takes approximately 90 minutes to complete but can be finished in intervals.

The course will help pharmacy teams and other frontline staff develop their skills and confidence in offering psychological support to those whose lives have been impacted by COVID-19, “including on issues such as job worries, bereavement or isolation”, the DH said. The course will also help staff and volunteers understand how to identify people at an “increased risk of distress, and how to offer practical and emotional support”, the DH added.

“Staff and volunteers in many different roles are working tirelessly to provide crucial support at this time and are often a critical touchpoint in identifying those who may be affected,” minister for mental health Nadine Dorries said.

Frontline staff can access the course and free learning material on social learning platform Future Learn.

Developed by Public Health England (PHE), the course also offers frontline workers “additional resources on how to take care of their own mental health and wellbeing”, PHE medical director Yvonne Doyle said.

Since April 8, pharmacy teams have also been able to access to a free mental health hotline offering psychological support from trained volunteers during the pandemic.

Pharmacy charity Pharmacist Support launched the ACTNow wellbeing campaign last month, urging pharmacists and pharmacy students to look after their mental health especially in light of the COVID-19 outbreak.