Mood and mental health challenges affect many of us, either personally or with those we know. The Canadian Mental Health Association estimates that “in any given year, 1 in 5 people in Canada will personally experience a mental health problem or illness.” Not only that but they further state that “by age 40, about 50% of the population will have or have had a mental illness.”
A common feeling people suffering from depression or anxiety have is that they are alone, there is a stigma attached to experiencing mental illness. Many people do not feel like they can talk to their friends or family about what they are experiencing. Whether or not one has a mental illness, it is typical for all of us to face mood fluctuations and challenges with daily life stressors.
You are not alone.
It is important for us all to realize that mental health challenges affect people from all walks of life, regardless of sex, gender, age, education, and income.
Nearly half of those experiencing depression or anxiety in Canada never see a doctor for help. As a naturopathic doctor, I focus on supporting those who experience mood and mental health challenges. I strive to work with you to provide the foundation for good mental health. This means utilizing diet and lifestyle considerations and top supplements for depression and anxiety. Counselling and talk therapy, along with nutritional support and supplementation, is an excellent combination.
Challenges with mental illness can be supported effectively with naturopathic treatments. There are many specific nutrients and herbal medicines that can achieve similar effects as prescription medications for anxiety and depression with fewer side effects. What treatment works best for any given person is highly individualized and requires consideration of the whole person.
Often, depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances co-exist. Treating the whole person will involve considering all of these factors holistically, as well as the role of stress. Stress can worsen mental illnesses. For both depression and anxiety, supporting the body’s stress response is crucial to attaining a balanced approach to mental health.
Assessment and consideration of the various aspects involved in mental health often includes the role of hormones, the impact of inflammation, and the benefits of the microbiome. Beneficial bacteria in our digestive tract have been shown to positively impact the Gut-Brain Axis. As a naturopathic doctor, all of these are considerations I will work with you to balance.
If naturopathic medicine sounds like a fit for you, contact Dr. Peters for a free “meet and greet”.
Dr. Shawn Peters, ND is a naturopathic doctor practicing in downtown Courtenay at the Macdonald Centre for Naturopathic Medicine.