LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — A new study led by a UNLV medical student shows pharmacists face a heightened risk of suicide, highlighting mental health concerns in a profession often overlooked by the public.
The data was published earlier this month by Hirsh Makhija, a Las Vegas native and first-year medical student at UNLV. Using data from the National Violent Death Reporting System, the study found a 21 percent higher risk of suicide among pharmacists and a 22 percent higher risk among female pharmacy technicians.
“We looked at the pharmacy field and saw there was a lot of research about burnout and depression. But when it came to suicide risk or suicide mortality in general, there really wasn’t a lot,” Makhija said.
Job stress identified as key factor
The study identified job problems as heavily associated with suicide among pharmacists. Makhija said pharmacists work under extreme stress while being expected to keep patients safe in low-resource environments.
“They are under an extreme amount of work stress being told to keep patients safe in very, very low resource environments,” Makhija said.
Makhija worked alongside Dr. Kelly Lee, a professor and associate dean at UC San Diego who has been a pharmacist for 25 years. Lee said the results were not surprising given her background in the field.
“Unfortunately, that lack of recognition about what pharmacists can do and what pharmacists do on a day-to-day basis to ensure that safe medications are delivered to patients, I think that puts a strain on us,” Dr. Lee said.
Mental health stigma compounds problem
Both researchers pointed to an archaic mindset in the medical field that contributes to these risks. They said the fear that seeking mental health treatment could lead to losing professional licenses prevents many from getting help.
Licensed medical professionals like pharmacists who seek mental health treatment risk having their ability to practice questioned by licensing boards, potentially being deemed unfit to work.
“I think all of that puts an extra strain on the profession,” Dr. Lee said.
Lee said public misconceptions about pharmacists’ roles add to workplace stress.
“Most people, I think they have a misconception of what pharmacists do. I think they feel that we are just counting pills in the back and just giving, putting them in a bottle and slapping a label on it and then giving it to them,” Dr. Lee said.
Both researchers hope that bringing this data to light will lead to more recognition and advocacy to reduce these risks.
“This is something you’re adding into the knowledge base of science, and this is finally going to help somebody,” Makhija said.
Copyright 2026 KVVU. All rights reserved.
