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Therapy by Any Other Name

Low-cost program aims to reduce stigma, treat depression in developing world

By Ambreen Ali, Newser User

Posted Mar 12, 2008 6:56 PM CDT

(Newser) – A program that treats depression in Indian villages is seeking to transform mental health care throughout the developing world, the New York Times reports. Bypassing expensive doctors, the clinics train laypeople to avoid talk of mental illness—a shameful stigma in many cultures—by screening for "strain" and "tension," and offering patients therapy, yoga, and medication.

Long labeled an ailment of the wealthy, depression afflicts about 20% of residents in poor countries—the same as in the West—but up to 90% of victims receive no treatment. Severe depression can be as disabling as physical diseases, doctors say, but the treatment remains low-tech and affordable. “The core resource is humans,” says one psychologist.

Resource-starved clinics in India are swamped addressing physical ailments, like a malaria epidemic shown here. Patients, too, are reluctant to bring up mental illnesses because they fear being stigmatized. (Magnum Photos)

An Indian doctor inspects a malaria patient in Calcutta. Overworked doctors lack time and inclination to ask patients about mental health. (Magnum Photos)

Dr. Vikram Patel's low-cost depression treatment program trains laypeople to identify and treat such afflictions in rural villages in Western India. (Getty Images)

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Therapy by Any Other Name

Low-cost program aims to reduce stigma, treat depression in developing world

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depression • India • mental health • developing world • psychotherapy

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Group Urges Docs to Prescribe Meditation

'Mindfulness' effective in preventing relapse

Electric Therapy Can Relieve Depression

New treatment using currents can help when meds don't

Depression May Be Good for Us

In some, it can lead to positive changes

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May pave way for new drugs, scientists say

Mental, Not Physical, Illness Hospitalizes Most US Troops

As mental illness increases, cost of care skyrockets

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Therapy by Any Other Name

Low-cost program aims to reduce stigma, treat depression in developing world

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

depression • India • mental health • developing world • psychotherapy

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Group Urges Docs to Prescribe Meditation

'Mindfulness' effective in preventing relapse

Electric Therapy Can Relieve Depression

New treatment using currents can help when meds don't

Depression May Be Good for Us

In some, it can lead to positive changes

Key Depression Gene Identified

May pave way for new drugs, scientists say

Mental, Not Physical, Illness Hospitalizes Most US Troops

As mental illness increases, cost of care skyrockets

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?