THERE WAS a time, not so long ago, when mentally ill patients were treated by the public differently from those patients wresting with other health problems.

The literature on mental health has proliferated as a result of positive attitudes on the subject.

The role in which mental health therapists find themselves is no longer as novel and unique as it used to be. They coordinate with medical doctors and social workers, including their patients’ own support systems.

Mental health therapists do not hesitate to discuss their progress with all types of patients in a multitude of settings. Their contributions represent invaluable information for mental health workers whose mission is to understand and work with those who have emotional and mental needs. 

 Gleaning from their work, it seems there are two overriding areas of concern — systems of undermining  psychopathology and methods of offering constructive emotional and educational experiences on a trusting relationship.

Studies have shown that there are basic questions often asked by mental health workers. This columnist is only too glad to pass them on, as viewed by the health workers:

• What can the first three minutes with a patient reveal?

• What indicators signal that someone is moving toward mental illness?

• What famous last words reveal a patient’s resistance to change?

 • How does one communicate: I’m with you.

What kind of careers are there in mental health?

Anyone could find herself/himself “face-to-face” with mental health patients. If this should happen, one should not feel that she/he is not able to cope because mental distress is no longer rare.  Families have learned through the years that their troubles with mental health patients are theirs alone.  This is no longer the case.  There are many, many cases everyone can all understand. The sooner the problem is noted, the better it will be for everyone  concerned.

Mental distress is nothing to be ashamed of.  It can strike every family regardless of socio-economic status. It is incumbent on everyone to be on the alert for signs of mental distress.  Like any illness in life, there are remedies, and the cures are there.