The Need for Mental Health Doctors: A New Understanding

Credit: wix Mental Health Matters

The importance of mental health cannot be understated; just as you need to care for and nourish your body, the same care must be taken to maintain a healthy mind. Unfortunately, we live in a time of extreme isolation and stress caused by the unknown due to an ongoing pandemic. 

The World Health Organization defines mental health as "a state of well-being where the individual realizes and takes value in their abilities." Further stating," They also possess the ability to cope with stresses, work productively, and be a contributing member to his or her community. (1) From this perspective, it quickly becomes clear how vital an individual's mental health is key to the well-being of society as a whole.

 When people are mentally healthy, they are better equipped to contribute meaningfully to their families, communities, and workplaces. Conversely, when mental health suffers, the effects ripple outward, impacting relationships, productivity, and social cohesion. Simply put, the health of the individual is deeply intertwined with the health of society at large. This COVID-19 has placed even more burden on an already stressed system, and it will take people looking out for one another to help and minimize its impact on society.

Our communities are increasingly fragmented, leaving many individuals feeling isolated and disconnected. This social disconnection creates fertile ground for a mental health crisis—one that affects not only the well-being of individuals but also the stability of society as a whole. As uncertainty and stress mount, people who feel disenfranchised are more likely to experience worsening mental health, which inevitably reverberates through their families, workplaces, and neighborhoods.

Now is the time to break the silence around mental health. Removing the stigma and ensuring accessible, timely care isn't just a compassionate response—it's a strategic one. By supporting mental health, we save lives and foster a more resilient, focused, and productive workforce. In doing so, we strengthen the very foundation of our economy and accelerate the path to broader societal recovery.

A brief history

Medicine, specifically when it comes to the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness, has had a long and often turbulent history. Looking back in the archaeological records, we see evidence of the first attempts at treating mental illness. These first attempts at treatment were done through a procedure known as trepanation. This is where a hole was drilled in the skull. The reasoning behind this procedure was to allow evil spirits to leave the body. We can see evidence of this dating back to around 6500 BC. 

Fast-forward to 2600 BC, when the Egyptians created the first recoverable medical text that described affected states of concentration, attention, and emotional distress in the heart or mind (2). Although groundbreaking for the time, most of the causes of illness were linked back to the gods, and the cures often were thought to work due to a supernatural origin, possibly appeasing a specific god. Anthropologists have since interpreted some of these as hysteria and melancholy. 

It was not until thousands of years later that the Greeks began the process of demystifying medicine, especially when it came to mental illness and disorders. Medicine began to change because the Greeks were the first people to implement a crude version of the scientific method. Hippocrates was the first to classify mental disorders, including paranoia, epilepsy, mania, and melancholia (3). 

Although the Greeks set the stage for understanding mental health, society had much catching up to do. Up till the 17th century, those suffering from mental illness were commonly the victims of witch-hunts (4).  

Despite a boom in knowledge and a general understanding of the human body, one area that has always offered more of a challenge to clinicians and researchers is the study of the brain and mental health. This was primarily due to the brain's inaccessibility and lack of tools to understand how it works. There has always been a lag behind the rapid advancement in other health care fields. 

It was not until the mid-19th century that William Sweetser coined the term Mental Hygiene (5). At the time, mental hygiene was defined as "the art of preserving the mind against all incidents and influences calculated to deteriorate its qualities, impair its energies, or derange its movements"(5). 

Despite mental hygiene having a very similar feel to modern mental health practice, things got off to a somewhat archaic start. The standard course of treatment in the field at the time consisted of atrocities such as Insulin Shock Therapy, Orbital Lobotomies, or simply locking those deemed "too difficult for society" away from the public eye in asylums. Thankfully, medicine and society have made massive strides in the understanding and diagnosis of mental health issues. Unfortunately, it has been much harder to lift some of the stigma surrounding the subject of mental illness that still lingers to this day.

What Does a Mental Health Professional Treat?

The term' mental health' encompasses a wide range of conditions, making it a complex and diverse field of medicine. From anxiety and mood disorders to severe psychotic conditions like schizophrenia, as well as eating and substance use disorders, mental health covers a vast spectrum. This breadth underscores the importance of finding a doctor who can address your specific needs. To do this effectively, it's crucial to be open about your symptoms and advocate for yourself.

How to Talk to Your Doctor about Mental Health

First and foremost, if you find yourself in a mental health crisis, such as experiencing suicidal thoughts or losing touch with reality, it's crucial to act immediately. Here are two swift ways to access mental health professionals. You can call the suicide hotline (800-273-8255, available 24/7 in both English and Spanish), or go to your local hospital's urgent care and inform them about your struggles. This will initiate a 72-hour psychiatric evaluation, where you'll be promptly met by a team of mental health professionals who will assist in stabilizing your condition.

If you are not experiencing an acute crisis, there are a multitude of options when it comes to finding the correct mental health professional to meet your needs. I recommend that most people speak with their General Practitioner first. This way, they (your doctor) can give a recommendation not only based on their medical opinion but one that will also work with your current insurance. 

When talking about mental health with any clinician, it will be vital that you are open and honest about how you are feeling and not afraid to ask for help if you need it. 

Types of Mental Health Professionals?

This is where navigating the world of mental health becomes immensely more complicated. Let us start with something simple: figuring out what kind of mental health professional may work best for you. To answer this question, I'm going to divide mental health professionals into two groups: those who can prescribe medication and those who rely exclusively on therapy-oriented treatment.

First, let us start with the group of Mental health care professionals who can prescribe medication in conjunction with conventional talk therapy. These doctors are known as psychiatrists.  They are licensed medical professionals. The only difference between them and a traditional family doctor is that they have chosen to specialize in psychiatry by completing specialized psychiatric training. As part of their education, they will have a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) and complete a residency training program focused predominantly on psychiatry. They have the ability and authority to diagnose mental health conditions, as well as take on the role of prescribing and monitoring medications with the goal of helping the individual reach a stabilized state. Along with medication, they should offer therapy to complement the medication regimen, as this has been shown to produce the best outcomes (6).

Along with Psychiatrists, there is a subset of Psychiatric or mental health nurse practitioners who can provide support to the primary Psychiatrist by helping process assessments, diagnoses, and engage in therapy for mental health conditions or substance use disorders. 

Next, there is the Psychologist. While they may not be allowed to prescribe medication, psychologists receive a great deal of training to evaluate a person's mental health using clinical interviews, psychological evaluations, and testing. They can make diagnoses and recommend therapy. Some forms of therapy they are likely trained in are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and other behavioral interventions.

In addition to Psychiatrists and Psychologists, there is a support network of Counselors, Clinicians, and Therapists. Their job is to provide the client with support in any way, with the goal of symptom reduction by teaching better ways of thinking, feeling, and living. 

Features of Good Mental Health Practitioners 

There are a few key areas you should focus on when you're trying to find a mental health provider. First, like looking for any new doctor, you should get a feel for their credentials and see if you can find any comments from current or past patients. By doing this, you can get an idea of their interpersonal skill and their therapeutic rapport. 

A counselor who has a strong therapeutic rapport with their patients leaves them feeling safe and respected. This is central to the therapeutic process, which often requires clients to share their most private thoughts, fears, and concerns. A client who doesn't feel safe in the therapeutic environment will be unable to open up fully, which will undoubtedly impede the therapeutic process. 

You will also want to find someone with good listening and communication skills. A great deal of therapy revolves around communication. The first line of treatment for any mental health practitioner should be talk therapy. Not only has it shown to be effective, but the possibility of adverse side effects was almost zero. (6) 

COVID-19 and Mental Health

A recent meta-study published under the name "COVID-19 pandemic and mental health consequences: Systematic review of the current evidence" shows that vital mental health is moving forward from this pandemic. After aggregating a total of 43 studies, it is clear that this pandemic will place even more burden on our already struggling mental healthcare infrastructure. One study included focuses on patients with preexisting psychiatric disorders, all of whom reported worsening of psychiatric symptoms. Another study covered by the same meta-analysis investigated whether health care workers were subject to increased depression, showing greater depressive symptoms, anxiety, psychological distress, and poor sleep quality. To add to just how far-reaching the effect of the past year has had on the general public, another study was included that looked at the general population. Every patient revealed lower psychological well-being and higher scores of anxiety and depression compared to before COVID-19. (7)

Prioritize Mental Health: Now is the Time!

The main takeaway from this article is to demonstrate that we are reaching a time where a good portion of our friends, family, and loved ones are at a significantly higher risk of mental health issues. This is where we, as individuals, all play an essential role. If you or someone you know is struggling, sometimes the difference between someone seeking help or further isolating themselves is a friendly conversation to check in with them. At first, it may seem uncomfortable and awkward, but if you suspect they might be struggling with their mental health, strike up a conversation. Maybe they will unload and be relieved, or it may push them to seek help.

Below is a list of contacts that could offer exact advice and placement:

If you or someone you care about is experiencing a suicidal or mental health crisis, please call the Access and Crisis Line at (888) 724-7240

SAMHSA Treatment Referral Helpline, 1-877-SAMHSA7 (1-877-726-4727)

Suicide hotline (800) 273-8255

These resources will work with you and your insurer to find a place to meet your needs. Even if you are not insured, this is a good place to start, as they can give you advice on how to receive mental health services.

1. "Mental health: strengthening our response." World Health Organization. August 2014. Retrieved 4 May 2014.

2. Yuhas, Daisy (March 2013). "Throughout History, Defining Schizophrenia Has Remained A Challenge (Timeline)". Scientific American Mind. Retrieved 2 March 2013.

3. Hinshaw, Stephen P. (2007). "Historical perspectives on mental illness and stigma". The Mark of Shame: Stigma of Mental Illness and an Agenda for Change. Oxford: Oxford University Press. p. 57

4. "The role of mental illness in the European witch hunts of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries: an assessment". Journal of the History of the Behavioral Sciences.

5. Mandell W (1995). "Origins of Mental Health, The Realization of an Idea." Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University. Retrieved 9 June 2015.

6. Forand NR, DeRubeis RJ, Amsterdam JD. Combining medication and psychotherapy in the treatment of major mental disorders. In: Lambert MJ, editor. Bergin and Garfield's handbook of psychotherapy and behavior change. 6th ed. Hoboken, NJ

7. Vindegaard N, Benros ME. COVID-19 pandemic and mental health consequences: Systematic review of the current evidence. Brain Behav Immun. 2020 Oct;