Katelynn Mayberry, PharmD, Clinical Assistant Professor
Mercer University College of Pharmacy
The 2023-2024 academic year has been another outstanding period for our AAPP collegiate chapters, showcasing their dedication to promoting psychiatric pharmacy and mental health awareness. Forty-seven collegiate chapters submitted annual reports, highlighting significant community service, campus activities, research, and professional growth. The 2023-2024 year also saw 64 in-person attendees to the annual AAPP meeting, with sixteen posters presented across eleven schools of pharmacy.
Our collegiate chapters have truly excelled this year with an impressive array of community service projects that have made a significant impact both on and off campus. From participating in awareness walks like the Walk to End Alzheimer’s and the Out of the Darkness Walk to organizing health fairs and mental health screenings, our chapters have been at the forefront of promoting mental health and wellness. Auburn University, East Tennessee State University, and the University of North Carolina were among those taking part in these initiatives, while Butler University, High Point University, and the University of Southern California led naloxone training and distribution efforts.
Unique and impactful initiatives included High Point University’s Backpack Hygiene Kits and the University of Pittsburgh’s Gratitude Tree Project. Therapy dog events at the University at Buffalo and St. John Fischer provided much-needed stress relief during finals. Educational outreach was another key area, with the University of California San Diego and the University of Southern California hosting numerous talks and presentations on mental health topics. Book drives and donations were also popular, with Rutgers and USC leading efforts to support their communities.
On campus, our chapters have been incredibly active, hosting wellness events, educational talks, and collaborative projects. The University of California San Francisco and the University of North Carolina organized impactful events like the Through Our Lens Conference and Mental Health Awareness Week. Membership outreach and recruitment were also prioritized, with many chapters participating in student organization fairs and hosting general interest meetings.
This year, our collegiate chapters have truly excelled in their research activities, showcasing their dedication and innovation in the field of psychiatric pharmacy, with Belmont University, East Tennessee State University, and the University of Texas-Austin leading the way with multiple poster presentations at the AAPP Annual Meeting.
The University of Georgia conducted three research projects, including an evaluation of Mental Health First Aid and an analysis of targeted lecture-based learning in transgender health care. Notably, the University of North Carolina (UNC) received one of the AAPP Foundation Student Chapter Impact Grants for their project on mental health equity. The University of Texas-Austin also stood out with their research on the impact of immersive workshop experiences on stigma related to serious mental illness, earning them the second AAPP Foundation Student Chapter Impact Grant.
In summary, our collegiate chapters have truly outdone themselves this year, demonstrating exceptional commitment to advancing psychiatric pharmacy through research, community service, campus involvement, and member engagement. Their innovative projects and collaborative efforts have significantly promoted mental health awareness and fostered a supportive and educational environment for all members.
Their dedication to promoting mental health and professional growth is truly inspiring, making us incredibly proud of their achievements.