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Is it possible, tacitly, that Chakraborti [1] has confused two
distinct types of care, the one-to-one client consultation and mutual aid?
Imagine that his client is another doctor. The Doctors' Support Network
[2] could provide contact and mutual aid to that client, who might be
feeling overwhelmed with isolation, stigma or inadequate understanding of
recent events. But that Network explicitly does not provide psychotherapy.
Mutual aid groups have a long history, as agents of social change and
education. [3] For example the 'Doctor Bob' who helped begin Alcoholics
Anonymous recognised that AA meetings were a valuable adjunct to, but
distinct from, clinical care of alcohol dependence. Worldwide, depression
seems to be the most common type of mental disorder. The Depression
Alliance [4] gives this introduction to groups for people who share some
experience of illness:
'Depression Self Help Groups provide a forum where people who are
affected by depression can meet to share experiences and coping strategies
with others in similar situations. Groups aim to provide mutual support
and understanding in a non-judgemental, confidential environment.'
In my observations, clients struggling with distressing psychological
problems often long for such a source of 'understanding', but may not know
where to look for it.
[1] Chakraborti A. Did you ever suffer from any mental illness? BMJ
2006; 333: 709.
[2] DSN. Welcome to the doctors' support network. http://www.dsn.org.uk/ accessed 3 October 2006
[3] Munn-Giddings C. Links between Kropotkin's theory of 'mutual
aid' and the values and practices of action research. Educational Action
Research 2001; 9: 149-158.
Mutual confusion?
Is it possible, tacitly, that Chakraborti [1] has confused two
distinct types of care, the one-to-one client consultation and mutual aid?
Imagine that his client is another doctor. The Doctors' Support Network
[2] could provide contact and mutual aid to that client, who might be
feeling overwhelmed with isolation, stigma or inadequate understanding of
recent events. But that Network explicitly does not provide psychotherapy.
Mutual aid groups have a long history, as agents of social change and
education. [3] For example the 'Doctor Bob' who helped begin Alcoholics
Anonymous recognised that AA meetings were a valuable adjunct to, but
distinct from, clinical care of alcohol dependence. Worldwide, depression
seems to be the most common type of mental disorder. The Depression
Alliance [4] gives this introduction to groups for people who share some
experience of illness:
'Depression Self Help Groups provide a forum where people who are
affected by depression can meet to share experiences and coping strategies
with others in similar situations. Groups aim to provide mutual support
and understanding in a non-judgemental, confidential environment.'
In my observations, clients struggling with distressing psychological
problems often long for such a source of 'understanding', but may not know
where to look for it.
[1] Chakraborti A. Did you ever suffer from any mental illness? BMJ
2006; 333: 709.
[2] DSN. Welcome to the doctors' support network.
http://www.dsn.org.uk/ accessed 3 October 2006
[3] Munn-Giddings C. Links between Kropotkin's theory of 'mutual
aid' and the values and practices of action research. Educational Action
Research 2001; 9: 149-158.
[4] Depression Alliance. Self-help support groups.
http//www.depressionalliance.org/docs/what_we_offer/self_help_groups.html
accessed 3 October 2006
Competing interests:
Researching 'sick doctors' health needs
Competing interests: No competing interests