Self-Help in Mental Health - Book Review Example

Self-help is recognized to be a very business in the United States. It is estimated; approximately $10 billion is spent each year in the United States in Self-help (Mental & Office of the Surgeon General 2016). Sadly, the high spending on the self-help is not closely monitored by any research or monitoring mental health professional body, yet there is triumph witnessed in marketing and metaphysics. Many researchers note, the reason why there is so much self-help books is as a result of the commercialization in existence in the field. T, Mark Harwood and Laciano L. Abate in their book have identified primary reasons associated with majority of the self-books in the market today is that they are cheap, fast to offer solutions and they promise amazing results. Moreover, the authors have identified many of the self-help books are not reliable and do not offer evidence-based sources, thus it is critical for the buyers to ensure they purchase the right materials to avoid being duped by the sellers (Harwood & Laciano 2010). Furthermore, Self-help in Mental Health by T, Mark Harwood and Laciano L. Abate enhances the works of the psychotherapists, couples and families therapists, researchers and clinicians to ensure they offer the right guidance to their patience (Harwood & Laciano 2010). The guideline offered in the book on the kind of books to consider while seeking self-help ensures before an individual makes a decision on the kind of book to buy they are fully informed and expected to make the best decision.

Self-help in Mental Health by T, Mark Harwood and Laciano L. Abate offers the readers a critical analysis on the different materials available in the market in regard to self-help books (Harwood & Laciano 2010). Through different analysis undertaken, the reader can then decide on the kind of books he/she can purchase to enable them make the best strives regarding their mental health status. Additionally, the book has in detail explained different approaches and trends that have been considered in the counseling profession and depending on the individuals needs different options can be considered (Harwood & Laciano 2010). In particular the book has in detail explained on the need to ensure self-reliance among the readers; this will reduce the peoples being duped into getting unnecessary books from the stores for self-help purposes but in place depend on them to solve most of the issues identified (Harwood & Laciano 2010). Moreover, Self-help in Mental Health by T, Mark Harwood and Laciano L. Abate have explained the self-books have a means of reaching the underserved populations especially those that prefer conventional therapy. The busy life that is experience by many people in the society can make some people not to have time to visit the therapists for their sessions (Cooper & Marshall, 2013), thus, by using this book they can be able to get the different referrals for their need to ensure they are back on their feet again. Many of the researchers in the psychology field have associated the book to be one of the best works ever done on the field. The authors are noted to very intentional in their message and throughout the book have managed to establish the importance on the use of self-help books that are relevant to the needs of the individual.

Self-help in Mental Health by T, Mark Harwood and Laciano L. Abate is advocated to be used in counseling professions due to a number of reasons (Harwood & Laciano 2010). First the book gives a clear guidance on the way therapists are expected to deal with depression, anxiety, addictions, and eating disorders among other conditions. Second, the therapists can use the book as a guideline to advice the patients on the kind of self-help books to get to ensure they are capable to get the maximum help the individuals need to ensure there is maximum recovery of the patients (Harwood & Laciano 2010). Third, the book has in detail offered guidance on how professional counselors can use different assessment books to determine the right kind of self-help book they require. Often, people have a tendency to prefer expensive books in view they have the best therapy session but it is always about the content of the book that determines the quality of the therapy session (Harwood & Laciano 2010). As earlier noted the counselors approach to recommendation on the different kinds of self-support materials depend on the level of need identified by the counselor and the patients willingness and ability to be able to integrate the offered traditional mode of therapy with the books (Harwood & Laciano 2010).

There are both advantages and disadvantages associated with Self-help in Mental Health by T, Mark Harwood and Laciano L. Abate. The advantages include, the book gives a clear guidance on how individuals need to assess their scenarios and get the right kind of books to ensure they do not waste money whole making the purchase. The book offers the counselors guidance on the kind of strategies that they can use to ensure they fully integrate their traditional modes of therapy with the necessary self-help books (Harwood & Laciano 2010). The book has also in detail given a guidance on how individuals can in the right manner deal with anxiety, depression, eating disorders and addition among other complications. Disadvantages include the book criteria for assessing the books needed to be bought for self-help purposes has not been approved by the mental health professional body. Therefore, the criteria used may not be authentic to fit all the needed books. The book has in detail explained some of the contradicting theories that have been considered in self-help approaches to ensure there is self change (Harwood & Laciano 2010). However, the book does not clearly point out on how the clients need to establish and reconnect with the identified new path.

In summary Self-help in Mental Health by T, Mark Harwood and Laciano L. Abate is worldwide recognized books that in detail explain some of the issues surrounding mental health. Currently as identified the United States is recognized to spend over $10 billion in their purchases of the self-help books. However, most of the books that are available in the market do not offer the promised solution to the readers seeking help. Therefore, through Self-help in Mental Health by T, Mark Harwood and Laciano L. Abate, there is hope as the authors have in detail offered the needed guidelines on how the patients can use specific guidelines to ensure they get the needed help they desire. Moreover, Self-help in Mental Health by T, Mark Harwood and Laciano L. Abate has been instrumental in the counseling profession as it has been used by the counselors to identify different strategies on how to adequately integrate the self-help with the traditional modes of therapy being offered by the counselors. Additionally the counselors can use the book to offer guidance on how to deal with issues such as anxiety, depression, addition and eating disorders. Therefore, Self-help in Mental Health by T, Mark Harwood and Laciano L. Abate is indeed an instrumental book in the mental health department.

References

Cooper, C. L., & Marshall, J (2013). Occupational sources of stress: A review of the literature relating to coronary health disease and mental ill health. In from Stress to Wellgeing Volume 1 (pp, 3- 23). Palgrave Macmillan UK.

Harwood, T. M., & Laciano L (2010) Self-help in Mental Health: A Critical review. Springer Science + Business Media

Mental.H.S.A.U., & Office of the Surgeon General (US, 2016). Facing addiction in America: The Surgeon Generals report on alcohol, drugs and health.