I'm Still Human: Understanding Depression With Kindness (Expanded Edition - 2021)

Who should I consult for
professional help?
As it’s much easier to access the service of a
general medical practitioner or family doctor, this is a
very good start for those with depression. All
general practitioners know about depression.
They can do an initial assessment and advise
you on the treatment plan. If the depression is
mild, they may choose to treat you themselves in the clinic. If the
depression is more severe, they’ll probably recommend you to a
mental health professional (psychiatrist, clinical psychologist or
counselor) for further assessment and treatment.
Who are you referred to? When depression is serious or requires
more thorough assessment, it’s more helpful to consult a
psychiatrist (a medical doctor specializing in psychological
medicine). This applies in the following situations:
• Elderly (> 60 years old).
• Having multiple medical problems, e.g. stroke, diabetes.
• Having suicidal thoughts, plans or attempting to commit
suicide.
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