It is important for pharmacists to use appropriate communication skills with all of the patients that they encounter. What should you avoid when dealing with patients with known mental health conditions? Please select all that apply.

A. Be patronizing and condescending: Speaking in a patronizing or condescending manner can damage trust, increase anxiety, and reduce the likelihood of adherence. Patients with mental health conditions require empathy and validation rather than belittlement. B. Be judgmental and biased: Judgmental attitudes or biases can stigmatize patients and create barriers to open communication. Ethical and effective care relies on nonjudgmental listening and support to encourage honest dialogue. C. Be sarcastic or make jokes: Sarcasm or joking can be misinterpreted, diminish the patient’s sense of being taken seriously, and undermine rapport. Clear, direct, and compassionate communication is essential in mental health care. D. Be respectful and acknowledge what the patient is saying and how they feel: Respectful communication fosters trust, therapeutic alliance, and engagement. Acknowledging the patient’s feelings and perspectives is a key component of patient-centered care and should always be practiced.