by Vancouver staff

To the Editor,

I read with Interest the article entitled “British Columbians suffering depression need fair treatment: BCMA” which appeared on the front page of Thursday’s Vancouver Sun. While I essentially agree with the message: Mental Healthcare must be given equal weight in our Healthcare system as Physical Health is given. I would be remiss if I didn’t point out that the paper released by the BCMA on Thursday lacks a collaborative vision of solving the problem that our system and indeed British Columbians now face.

Psychologists are also concerned with meeting the needs of people in a timely manner. As the Canadian Psychiatric Association itself points out: “Psychiatrists often work hand-in-hand with psychologists in the care of a patient.” So why are Psychologists left out of the recommendations for better access and fair treatment of patients with mental illness?

Although psychologists cannot at present prescribe, many are trained in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy which is regarded as very effective in the treatment of depression. Further, many Psychologists have advanced training in psychopharmacology and can work together with prescribing primary physicians to treat cases of mild to moderate severity depression. This will take the pressure off the wait lists for Psychiatrists who will then be freed to treat the more severe cases in a timely manner.

Psychologists have a major role to play in primary care mental health and are ready, willing and able to work in collaboration with the medical system to meet the needs of British Columbians struggling with depression. Since we are now more than ever aware of the health, economic and social costs of continuing to ignore mental health, psychologists welcome and anticipate a more collaborative, approach to creating a sustainable solution.

With initiatives such as the Psychologically Healthy Workplace Awards, the Psychosocial Disaster Response Network, various public outreach and educational programs as well as its free referral service, which connects those in need with psychological services in their communities, the BC Psychological Association has been striving to better the mental health and well-being of British Columbians since 1977.

Sincerely,
Rebecca Smith,
Executive Director,
British Columbia Psychological Association