Shport urges timely professional support for mental health

Svetlana Shport, chief external psychiatrist and addiction psychiatrist for the Ministry of Health of Russia, urged people to care for their mental health and seek support promptly. She spoke to RIA Novosti on October 10, World Mental Health Day.

Positive emotions, the ability to redirect attention and skills for managing negative thoughts can help preserve wellbeing, she said. People should feel able to request support even when they simply need to talk, cry or share feelings of sadness.

Shport said a range of psychological practices and psychotherapy techniques are available. A psychotherapist can teach suitable approaches, and seeking a professional with the appropriate expertise is important.

The public healthcare system offers access to clinical psychologists or psychotherapists at outpatient clinics and psychiatrists at mental health centres.

She listed breathing exercises, autogenic training, physical activity, emotional training and digital neurocognitive rehabilitation systems among available approaches. When clinical symptoms are already present, a psychiatrist can prescribe treatment and rehabilitation measures.