There are different types of professionals who can support your mental health journey. Depending on your needs and situation, you may find that one or a combination of these professionals is most helpful.
General Practitioner
General Practitioner (GP) is the best starting point if you are worried about your mental health condition.
What a GP can do:
- Check for any physical health problem or medication that can contribute to depression
- Provide brief counselling
- Discuss available treatments
- Prescribe a small dose of antidepressants
- Refer you to a mental health specialist such as psychologist or psychiatrist
What a GP cannot do:
- Diagnose you with a mental health disorder
Counsellor
Counsellors work in a variety of settings such as private practices, community health centres, schools, universities and youth services.
What a Counsellor can do:
- Talk through different issues a person may be experiencing
- Counsel you and look for possible solutions by using different counselling techniques and modalities
What a Counsellor cannot do:
- Diagnose you with a mental health disorders
- Prescribe medication
It's important to know your counselor's qualification and if they can assist you, because not all counsellors have specific training in treating mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.
Clinical Psychologist
There are different kinds of psychologists. Psychologists who specialise in severe mental health conditions, such as depression are called clinical psychologists.
What a Clinical Psychologist can do:
- Assess your mental health conditions through psychological assessments
- Diagnose you with a mental health disorder or mood disorder
- Provide psychotherapy (e.g. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, Mindfulness Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, etc.)
- Help you develop coping strategies and (cognitive behavioural) interventions for managing stress and/or the mental health condition(s).
- Offer support in crisis situations or significant life transitions, such as grief or trauma.
What a Clinical Psychologist cannot do:
- Prescribe medication
- Provide medical diagnoses related to physical conditions (unless they also hold qualifications in a medical field).
Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are doctors who have undergone further training to specialise in mental health.
What a Psychiatrist can do:
- Assess your mental health conditions
- Conduct medical tests
- Diagnose you with a mental health disorders
- Provide psychological treatment/therapy
- Prescribe medication
What a Psychiatrist cannot do:
- Provide long-term psychotherapy treatment or counselling (unless they are also trained in psychotherapy)
- Offer treatment for non-mental health-related medical conditions
- Conduct non-mental health related medical procedures
- Provide alternative therapies like acupuncture or other non-medical treatments
- Offer lifestyle or behavior coaching (because this is typically the role of a psychologist or counsellor)
Both Psychologist and Psychiatrist can diagnose and treat your mental health problems. The main difference between the two is the approach they take in treating you. Psychologists and Psychiatrists often work together when dealing with patients.
For guidance on where to find mental health services in Indonesia, visit www.seributujuan.id/findhelp
If you need a crisis hotline, visit https://www.healing119.id/suicide
Family and friends
Family and friends are not health professionals, but they play an important role in a person’s recovery journey when dealing with depression. They are important support systems which provide unconditional support, a safe space, and encouragement for the person to seek professional help.
