Collaboration between Psychiatrists, Psychologists and Counselors Kimani Githongo J. June 15 th 2013

overlapping professions Psychiatry, psychology and Counseling are overlapping professions. Practitioners in both – psychiatrists, psychologists and Counselors -- are mental health professionals. Their area of expertise is the mind -- and the way it affects behavior and well-being. They often work together to prevent, diagnose, and treat mental illness. And both are committed to helping people stay mentally well. But there are differences between psychiatry, psychology and Counseling. Clients seeking help in mental health issues sometimes find those differences confusing. To make matters even more confusing, psychiatrists and psychologists aren't the only mental health professionals you can choose from. There are mental health counselors, social workers, nurses, and others who deal with issues of mental health. The multiple approaches to treatment, ranging from counseling to various forms of psychotherapy, also confuses not only our clients but also other professionals and sometimes policy makers to the detriment of the whole mental health system.

differences But there are differences between psychiatry, psychology and Counseling. Trainings and professional level are not the same. Clients seeking help in mental health issues sometimes find those differences confusing. To make matters even more confusing, psychiatrists and psychologists aren't the only mental health professionals you can choose from. There are mental health counselors, social workers, nurses, and others who deal with issues of mental health. The multiple approaches to treatment, ranging from counseling to various forms of psychotherapy, also confuses not only our clients but also other professionals and sometimes policy makers to the detriment of the whole mental health system. Nevertheless collaboration is practical

Collaboration I am here to humbly request this general assembly of more collaboration, cooperation, and mutuality in all areas that we can be able to work together and notably:- 1. Mutual consultations on mental assessments, diagnosis and referrals 2. A two way update on the regime of care and management of patients between the Counselor Psychologist and the Psychiatrist 3. Holding Conferences Workshops and Seminars jointly 4. Exchange of ideas and updates on emerging issues 5. Explore a way of establishing a Mental Health Coalition (MHC)for advocacy on Mental Health issues from a common front

Bottlenecks I am aware that some bottlenecks existed in the past and may still exist towards such a collaboration. Some arguments may have been credible whilst others may have been based on a failure to appreciate each other professions boundaries. But both of these arise out of the limited academic and professional qualifications in some of these professionals Whilst Psychiatrists sweat out competing with the best brains to enter the Faculty of Medicine, later specialization after an amount of time and hard work, some of The Psychologists, Counselors And Sociologists can only boast of a Diploma at the most. Most of the Associations were also headed by such persons whose ego was totally misplaced making meaningful discourse and engagement difficult.

New dispensation I want to assure this meeting that all this is changing tremendously. Currently there are many the Psychologists, Counselors and Sociologists who are at the level of PhD and quite a number at Masters Level. Our local Universities have also introduced Doctoral Studies in Clinical Psychology (University of Nairobi, USIU and Daystar) and Counseling Psychology (Kenyatta University). I have had a look at their Catalogues and Course Outlines and am impressed by the contents. Some of you have also been engaged to facilitate some units as well as supervise the students. The leadership of the associations too is now in the hands of qualified and competent officials, who are humble and can engage meaningfully and intellectually at any level. More than any other time the door for Collaboration is now wide open without any suspicions or crossing of each other profession’s boundaries. It is in this regard that time is now ripe to think of forming a Mental Health Coalition (MHC)between these distinct service providers in this area

Mental Health Coalition (MHC) In Europe, America and Australia a Mental Health Coalition is a peak agency that provides vital advocacy, representational and capacity building roles for the community managed mental health sector. This sector covers the range of non- government organizations that offer recovery, early intervention, prevention, health promotion and community support services for people with mental illness.

Mental Health Coalition (MHC) in Kenya In the Kenyan set up allow me to mention some of the objectives of the proposed coalition as:- 1. Lobby for increased budgetary allocation for Mental Health 2. Initiate reform in the Mental Health Sector 3. Formulate Laws, Policies and Guidelines for the sector that will be followed by service providers in the sector rather than the individual approaches practiced by some of the service providers sometimes to the detriment of the profession 4. Reclaim the rightful place for the Mental Health profession rather than surrender their place to nefarious nondescript bodies going by tags like human rights activists Such a body can be set up by the various officials of the Associations in the Mental Health Profession as the first step towards the envisaged collaboration

Honorable great members of this assembly, I beg to rest my case. God bless the mental health profession God bless you all Thank you