‘The door is always open’

The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy in the Truro Mall among pharmacies participating in free mental health program

Over the past several years, community pharmacies in Nova Scotia have played an increasingly vital role in providing essential health-care services and medications to residents across the province.

Truro pharmacist Peter Bakes has seen first-hand how community pharmacies can serve as a crucial point of contact for patients seeking medical advice. For more than a decade, Bakes has owned and operated The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy inside the Truro Mall.

“It’s not your typical pharmacy because we don’t carry cosmetics, groceries and cards—things like that,” says Bakes. “Our attention is focused on your prescription needs and providing over-the-counter medication advice.”

While The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy offers the same medications as other pharmacies, Bakes says its focus on improving community health through personalized care sets it apart.

In line with this focus, The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy in the Truro Mall is one of the pharmacies offering the Bloom Program, a community pharmacy initiative designed to increase and improve mental health and addiction care for Nova Scotians.

There is no charge for anyone who meets the criteria to enrol. The six-totwelve-month program allows patients struggling with mental health or addiction to access community resources and medication support at their local community pharmacy. There is no wait-list for the program—an important factor for people needing mental health resources quickly.

“Sometimes a patient will have no idea where to start or who to call,” says Bakes. “As a navigator of the health-care system, I’ll try to find what services might best match their needs. That’s one of our responsibilities—to be aware of what support services are available so we can connect the right patient to the right service.”

Funded by the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness, the Bloom Program was launched in 2014 through a pilot program. In 2017, it was opened to community pharmacies across the province, which is when Bakes decided to take part.

To join the Bloom Program, Bakes and his team were required to complete a nine-part application process, including in-person training, a comprehensive review of local mental health resources and connecting with other community health providers.

Patients can enrol in the program through a self-referral or referral from another person, pharmacist or physician. Once enrolled, patients will receive an in-depth assessment of their medications and related health issues—a process that requires trust.

“We develop a relationship of trust and confidence with our patients, and

that’s important because we want them to be comfortable discussing anything with us,” says Bakes. “It’s important that people know that things are kept strictly confidential.”

While Bakes says that depression and anxiety are the most common problems for which patients seek help, the team can support a range of mental health concerns, including substance dependence, ADHD, PTSD, and sleeping problems.

As his pharmacy continues to provide crucial mental health resources to Truro and its surrounding communities, Bakes

says it’s rewarding to see the difference the program can make.

“It’s been amazing to see the improvements in some people’s lives because they’re able to manage their anxiety and depression with the right medication and counselling,” he says. “That’s the purpose of this program—to help people move forward and feel better.”

The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy is located in the Truro Mall at 245 Robie Street. To learn more about the Bloom Program or talk about your pharmacy needs, call (902) 893-3500.