On the heels of suicide awareness month in September, Dr. Rhonda Mattox explained how the Arkansas Medical Dental and Pharmaceutical Association (AMDPA) is actively working to bring awareness to and address the mental health needs in the African American Community. 

“All providers know mental health should be a priority, but historically it hasn’t been. The pandemic was an ice breaker, so to speak,” said Dr. Mattox, physician speaker and president of AMDPA. We all watched as George Floyd, Brianna Taylor, and Ahmoud Arbury unfolded and it impacted our mental health. Even Michelle Obama came out about her struggle with “low-grade” depression as she called it. Meghan Markle shared how she had suicidal ideations during her pregnancy. Dr. Mattox believes that one of the silver linings of COVID-19 may be telehealth and increased access to care. 

The AMDPA is not only concerned with access to care but improving outcomes. As Dr. Mattox explained, when patients receive general care from a ABV Health & Wellness provider who looks like them their outcomes improve. When the PCP and patient are of the same race or ethnicity, the evidence shows numer – ous benefits. For example, the doctor is more likely to uncover mental health issues when the length of time and quality of time increases. 

The PCP is often the first to diagnose conditions like diabetes, thyroid disorders, anxiety, and even mood disorders. Having these conditions or even being on a particular medi – cation can contribute to a mental health issue. “There is a domino effect and mental health is one of the dominoes.” Likewise, something that may not seem so serious, like missing a tooth, can be a very big deal. Dr. Mattox explained that Arkansas is a dental care “desert” so to speak. We desperately need more dentists. If someone is missing a tooth they don’t smile; this can contribute to dry mouth, bad breath, poorer recovery, and gum healing. “There is an inter – play we often don’t think about.” 

One of the shining accomplishments of the AMDPA is its Pharmacy Summer Internship Program. The program was made possible by grant funding from the Arkansas Pharmacists Association. It increased knowledge about opportunities in healthcare for young people considering a career as a pharmacist. The goal was to place an intern in a pharmacy in every Arkansas county. The program was a success; it increased minority student opportunities, served as a pathway for interns to earn a pharmacy tech license, and strengthened their pharmacy school application.