Club Profile: Initiative for Mental Health Awareness in Pharmacy (IMHAP)

Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) is an annual national public education campaign designed to raise awareness about the reality of mental illness. Coordinated by the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) in cooperation with all its member organizations and many other supporters across Canada, this week (October 1 to 7, 2023) provides an opportunity to have important conversations about mental illness and share strategies to support mental health. 

PharmD students at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy are working together through the student club, Initiative for Mental Health Awareness in Pharmacy (IMHAP) to raise awareness and dismantle stigma surrounding mental health. Learn more about the IMHAP club in the Q&A below. 
 

What is the mission of Initiative for Mental Health Awareness in Pharmacy?

The Initiative for Mental Health Awareness in Pharmacy (IMHAP) is a student-led club at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy whose mission is to raise awareness and dismantle stigmas surrounding mental health. Our club is committed to fostering meaningful discourse within the pharmacy sphere, and to challenge current perceptions and approaches towards mental health care. Through workshops, panels, and discussions, we intend to equip students with the tools to confront mental health stigma in their careers, as well as approaches to support their own mental health today and in the future.

Who are the members of the IMHAP team, and what roles do they play?

IMHAP is run by pharmacy students at the faculty. Our team consists of dedicated individuals who all share a common passion to advocate for mental health. Out team is: 

• Nuzat Karim and Elena Rosa Gastaldo, Co-Presidents
• Yuqi Lin, Finance Director
• Nancy Awadallah and Andrew Scott, Co-Events Directors
• Lea Ghaddar, Communications Director
• Ranya Mohammed and Paulina Doan, Co-Marketing Directors
• Pooja Patel (2T4), Ruba Ullah (2T5), Hila Akbari (2T6), and Margherita Bastianelli (2T7), Class Representatives

All of our executive members play a crucial role in our club's success, and we're grateful for their time and commitment towards ensuring that IMHAP has a successful year ahead!

What kind of events does IMHAP organize?

IMHAP organizes an array of events and initiatives with the primary goal of promoting mental health awareness and supporting the mental well-being of pharmacy students. Notable events on our agenda for this semester include a Friendship Bracelet Craft Night and a Pharmacists in Neuropsychiatry Q&A + Networking Event. We are also exploring the possibility of hosting external workshops, such as SafeTalk, to equip future pharmacists with crisis intervention skills.

We are particularly excited about our newest initiative, crafting and offering Exam Care Packages during the final exam season to fundraise for the Canadian Mental Health Association.

How can folks at the faculty get involved with IMHAP?

All faculty members and students at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy are warmly welcome to attend and participate in our events and initiatives. To stay informed about our upcoming events, we encourage you to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Linktree.

Should you have any ideas or resources that you believe would benefit pharmacy students, or if you simply wish to connect with us, please feel free to reach out via email at . We are always open to connect and collaborate!

Related Links

• Student Life Mental Health Services 
• Telus Health Student Support
• U of T Student Mental Health Resource