Revista Internacional de Saúde Mental e Psiquiatria

The importance of collaboration and compassion in mental health treatment of anxiety disorders

Myra Braun

Statement of the Problem: Mental health treatment continues to evolve around the world. The importance of collaboration among professionals in the mental health care field is a critical part of the effective treatment of patients suffering from mental health illnesses, specifically those high functioning with anxiety disorders. There are different dimensions to collaboration. The first dimension is collaboration among health care professionals, in a more inclusive setting whenever possible:(Patient, Psychotherapist/Psychologist,Psychiatrist,GeneralPractitioner/Doctor). Another dimension of collaboration, the individual draws upon different support systems, which are detrimental for the patient’s well-being. These support systems must be identified and collaboration with such systems should be actively explored as social interactions and sense of belonging. Human connections bring us together as a healthier society. The third dimension of collaboration is within the individual themselves, taking into consideration the patient as a whole: their mental state, physical state, and spiritual state. This is a more holistic approach to mental health, acknowledging we are multi-dimensional beings. This way, the effectiveness of mindfulness and other approaches can be observed more consistently in the mental health treatment of anxiety disorders. According to the Mental Health Foundation, UK, “A clear distinction is often made between “mind” and “body”. But when considering mental health and physical health, the two should not be thought as separate”. Lastly and more importantly, compassion is the bond of all these dimensions. Research indicates that self-compassion is relevant to psychological well-being. Teaching compassion, practicing, and modeling self-compassion in a non-judgmental and nurturing environment, is detrimental for the healing process of the patient.