In depression’s case, ‘defense’ is not just psychiatric medication or psychological counselling, but the simple warmth of social support. Any mental health expert is mindful of the myriad of social, economic, sexual, or other organic factors that impact mental health. More commonly, what I handed these patients were phone numbers of support groups for people with mental health problems. The belief that western mental health professionals rely heavily on drugs while eastern practitioners rely on socio-spiritual therapies, is untrue. One also hears other people talk about their circumstances surrounding their mental health problems, and possibly learn from their coping strategies.

Source: Pakistan Today March 06, 2019 11:15 UTC