Safe & Well, a free educational tool, is a collaboration between the retailer and education innovator EVERFI Inc.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart today announced it is marking the start of National Substance Abuse Prevention Month and National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month with the launch of a new website that is an interactive learning solution with access to prescription drug safety and mental health resources.

EVERFI Inc., described as a “leading social-impact education innovator,” is collaborating with the retailer on the introduction of the free website, called Safe & Well.

“We are seeing people struggle with unprecedented levels of personal stress and restricted access to support networks in communities across the country as a result of the pandemic, which can ultimately compromise health and many other important aspects of people’s lives,” said Dr. Thomas Van Gilder, chief medical officer at Walmart. “Our hope is that the new Safe & Well tool will be an accessible and valuable source of information for people at risk of prescription drug misuse and those who care about them.”

Prescription drug misuse and mental health challenges have been exacerbated in recent months as the COVID-19 crisis has increased stress and social isolation, the company said in announcing the initiative. The announcement cited a survey  by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that found nearly 31% of respondents reported symptoms of anxiety or depression, and 13% said they had started or increased substance use “to cope with stress or emotions related to COVID-19.

Walmart said the new wellness resource provides associates, patients, caregivers, and community members with necessary information to better understand the risks of prescription medication misuse and the connections to mental health.

The Safe & Well website uses videos, interactive scenarios and self-guided activities covering topics, including:

• Reading and understanding a prescription bottle label and medication guide.
• Responsible use, storage and disposal of prescription medication.
• Recognizing opioid misuse and opioid use disorder.
• Mental health awareness.
• Strategies for seeking support for a mental health challenge.
• Coping techniques.

“Our country is at a crossroads with declining life expectancy due to suicide and drug overdoses,” said Jon Chapman, co-founder and president, EVERFI. “Mental wellness and prescription drug misuse are impacting communities across the country and there has never been a more critical time to focus on investing in the health of these communities. These issues are intertwined and not only can addressing them improve the economy of a community, but it can truly save a life by providing consumers with the information they need in the moment they need it.”