Newsletter
Taking Control of Your Mental Health2024-12-09
“Reality is no one can live it or own it but you. Take charge of your journey, it's yours and yours alone!”
—Kemi Sogunle
Patients and their families are the ones feeling the direct impact of mental health challenges. When somebody is not doing well, the family can help support them and nudge them along in the right direction, to get care. When the person starts improving, they can get more involved and take control of their own health, to improve things, and prevent future episodes.
Working with therapists and doctors is good. Teamwork with, rather than absolute deference to the clinician, is the best approach for the patient and family. Do your own research online regarding the clinician, their education and track record. Find the right caregiver, always ask questions, participate in care! Always keep abreast of the latest advances in the field by reading up online, doing searches, learning from others who have successfully navigated similar challenges.
As a psychiatrist, I do not take offense at all, and in fact encourage patients and families to ask questions, bring materials to our appointments, ask about approaches and therapies that they have read or heard about. Ego is often inversely correlated with competence. We need to explain in a simple way what we are doing and why, and be open to alternative strategies, learning from the patient and family about what would best help them.
To help empower the teamwork and interplay between patients, families and clinicians, we have developed a series of helpful digital tools and blood tests.