I agree with the holistic approach to treating various mental health conditions, but personally I feel that (at least in the United States) the drugs are over-prescribed and there is not enough follow up care in terms of counseling, therapy, etc. I don’t think that we need more money spent on drugs as much as more money spent to help make the efforts to help people more cohesive. A prescription pad can only go so far.

Also, I think that you make some interesting points in terms of the various causes to mental illness not only being biological, but environmental (including physical as well as social), which is why I also firmly believe in addressing all of these aspects when working with a person with mental illness.

It often feels like we live in the dark ages in this!
Hello… Wake Up….Please!
It’s always about the dollars yet health, crime, drugs, etc all cost us.
Its all interconnected!

Hey! Maybe God made psychiatrists? hmmmm…..
Seems they are pretty busy?

I completely agree with this post.

The other element I think is systems of organisation. Ie. it is bureaucratic organisation that is the problem.

Bureaucracy doesn’t accept individuality or deal well with unpredictability. In short it is a singularly inappropriate way to deal with people’s health in general or mental health in particular. Semi-autonomous teams could make a major difference for the better in these situations I think.