Donate
Find Help Now

Antidepressants

Disclaimer:

This publication is based on a Mind UK publication and the original version may be found here: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/a-z-mental-health/

Thank you to Mind UK for sharing their valuable content with us. Content included in Mental Health A-Z is made available free of charge and does not form part of any commercial activity. The adaptation has been done independently by Mind HK and is intended for general information purposes only.

Alternatives to antidepressants

If you don’t want to take antidepressants, there are lots of alternative treatments you can try. In  fact, if you are diagnosed with mild depression, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence  (NICE) guidelines for treating depression recommend that doctors offer you other treatments ahead  of medication. 

If you are taking antidepressants, you may also want to use other options for treatment and support in addition to your medication. 

This page has information on some of the common alternatives to antidepressants. You may find  these helpful to use instead of your medication, or alongside it: 

  • Talking therapies 
  • Mindfulness 
  • Arts and creative therapies 
  • Ecotherapy 
  • Complementary and alternative therapies 
  • Peer support
  • Look after your physical health

Talking therapies

The NICE guidelines for treating depression recommend that doctors offer you a type of talking  therapy or counselling. This will often be cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Talking therapies may be offered instead of antidepressants, or in addition to them. 

See our pages on talking therapy and counselling for information about the other kinds of therapy  that are available.

Mindfulness 

Mindfulness is a way of giving your full attention to the present moment. Some studies show that  practising mindfulness can help to manage depression. 

Some structured mindfulness-based therapies have also been developed to treat mental health  problems more formally. For example, NICE recommends mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for  managing depression. 

Arts and creative therapies 

Arts and creative therapies help you express your feelings through things like painting, clay work,  music or drama therapy. They can help you deal with your symptoms, especially if you find it difficult  to talk about how you’re feeling. 

Ecotherapy 

Ecotherapy is a type of therapeutic treatment which involves doing outdoor activities in nature. This  may include working on a conservation project or gardening. Or you may walk or cycle through  areas of nature. 

Complementary and alternative therapies 

Some people find complementary and alternative therapies helpful in managing their symptoms. For  example, this may be aromatherapy, reflexology or acupuncture. Complementary therapies may also  help manage some of the side effects of medication, if you decide to continue with it. 

Some herbal remedies can interact with antidepressants and other types of medication. So if you are  thinking about taking a herbal remedy alongside any medication, speak to your doctor or pharmacist  about whether this is safe. 

St John’s wort 

St John’s wort is a herbal medicine that is sometimes used to treat symptoms of depression and  anxiety. It is available to buy without needing a prescription.

There is some uncertainty about the effects of St John’s Wort, as well as the correct dose to take and  how it interacts with other medicines. It is best to seek advice from your doctor before taking it,  especially if you are already taking any kind of medication.

Peer support 

Peer support allows you to make connections with people who have had similar or shared experiences to  yours. If you’d like to try peer support, you could: 

“[What helps me is] running, healthy diet and Pilates. I also have friends and a support group that I  trust.” 

Look after your physical health 

  • Think about what you eat and drink. Eating a balanced and nutritious diet may help to  manage some of your symptoms. Drinking plenty of water can also help your mental  wellbeing. See our pages on food and mood for more information. If you have a difficult  relationship with food and eating, our pages on eating problems may help. 
  • Try to be more active. Many people find regular physical activity helps to lift their mood,  boost their energy levels and keep them grounded in reality. See our pages on physical  activity and your mental health for more information. 
  • Try to get enough sleep. Getting enough sleep can sometimes feel difficult. But having a  good amount of quality sleep is very helpful for your mental health. See our pages on sleep  problems for more information. 
Instagram Facebook-f Linkedin
What is iACT Service?

Improving Access to Community Therapies (iACT®) is one of the services from Mind HK. Trained Wellbeing Practitioners will offer initial assessment and early intervention for people dealing with mild to moderate symptoms of depression, anxiety, or other emotional difficulties.

 

The service includes 6-8 sessions of low-intensity psychological support, the flexibility of the service allows individuals to receive free and timely support when needed.

If you’re aged between 18 – 65 and are facing some emotional challenges, we would like to invite you to take an online assessment for us to gain a better understanding of your current emotional struggle.

 

If you’re eligible, we’ll get you connected with a Wellbeing Practitioner within two weeks to sort out the next steps.

The service runs for about 3 months and includes 6-8 support sessions, tailored to your needs.

 

We encourage you to attend all sessions and actively practice the tips and exercises provided by your Wellbeing Practitioner.

We take your privacy seriously. Your chats with the Wellbeing Practitioner are confidential.

 

We won’t share any of your info unless you’ve provided consent or if there are risks detected.

This programme isn’t suitable for people facing emergencies, major setbacks, or those diagnosed with serious or complex mental health conditions.

 

If you’re having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, this programme might not meet your needs, so please seek help right away. You can check out Mind HK’s “Find Help Now” page for immediate information and services.

Most of our Wellbeing Practitioners have backgrounds in psychology or counselling and are passionate about mental health. They’ve gone through about 140 hours of intensive training and completed at least 120 hours of supervised clinical practice over 9 months to ensure the quality of service.

 

They’re trained by accredited local experts in the mental health field, including clinical psychologists, counselling psychologists, counsellors, and psychiatrists. Plus, we regularly check how effective our services are. All service outputs and performances are subject to consistent monitoring.

Who is suitable for participating in this programme?

This programme welcomes anyone between the ages of 18 and 65 who may be feeling lost or facing emotional difficulties. Please note that this programme is not suitable for individuals diagnosed with severe or complex mental health conditions.

This programme is not suitable for individuals diagnosed with severe or complex mental health conditions, but suitable for those who experience mild to severe moderate anxiety, mild to moderate depression, or other emotional challenges. If you are currently experiencing a major setback or even having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please visit the “Find Help Now” page on our Mind HK’s website for immediate information and services.

After signing up, our Wellbeing Practitioner will contact you within two weeks to schedule a convenient time for a 45-minute conversation, either via video or phone call, according to your preference. During the conversation, the Wellbeing Practitioner will understand your current situation and help you gain a better understanding of your emotional state based on the questionnaire you filled out during application. Additionally, they will provide recommendations for appropriate community resources based on your needs, helping you take an important first step in taking care of your mental health.

Although the intervention procedure is mostly standardised, Wellbeing Practitioners will work flexibly with clients to address individual presenting problems and unique characteristics.

Our Wellbeing Practitioners are trained to support people who experience mild to moderate mental health difficulties primarily. This programme is not suitable for the situations mentioned above. If you are currently experiencing a major setback or even having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please visit the “Find Help Now” page on our Mind HK’s website for immediate information and services.

Your conversations with the Wellbeing Practitioner are absolutely confidential. Any information about you will not be shared with anyone without your consent unless you or others are at immediate risk or the Wellbeing Practitioner has reason to believe that you may be in imminent danger.
Supervisors will monitor trainees’ development throughout the placement to ensure that they are meeting the required level of competency to pass the training course at the end of the placement.

Yes, it is necessary to book an appointment in advance by filling out the form. Additionally, you can select one of the five stores yourself. We will allocate clients to different Wellbeing Practitioners based on their chosen location.

Before having the conversation, we will ask you to fill out a basic questionnaire for preliminary screening assessment. This screening process aims to ensure that the training received by the Wellbeing Practitioners is sufficient to meet the needs of the individuals receiving the service. If it is determined after the screening assessment that the service is not suitable for you, Mind HK will provide alternative recommendations to ensure your safety and support.

For adults who are suitable for this service, all Wellbeing Practitioners have received training on how to identify and respond to safety and risk issues. If you have any concerns about the support process, the Wellbeing Practitioners have appropriate measures in place and will develop response plans based on the urgency of the situation. They can also access support from clinical practitioners from Mind HK or participating organisations.

What private training does Mind HK provide?

Mind HK provides 4 themes of mental health training, including: Supporting Self, Supporting Others, Family Wellbeing and DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion).

 

Check out the brochure here for more information.

Mind HK provides a wide range of standardised mental health training, which can be tailored to different circumstances. Chat with our team to explore more! 

Our trainers come from a diverse, accredited pool of clinically experienced professionals. Check out our trainers’ biographies here.

Yes, the Mental Health First Aid class of Mind HK is internationally accredited by the MHFA International. The content and certification is delivered by trainers certified from the Mental Health Association of Hong Kong. You can find out our trainers accreditation here.

We are here to support your mental health education journey! Reach out to us and chat with our team.

Alternatives to antidepressants

Alternatives to antidepressants

If you don't want to take antidepressants, there are lots of alternative treatments you can try. In  fact, if you are diagnosed with mild depression, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence  (NICE) guidelines for treating depression recommend that doctors offer you other treatments ahead  of medication. 

If you are taking antidepressants, you may also want to use other options for treatment and support in addition to your medication. 

This page has information on some of the common alternatives to antidepressants. You may find  these helpful to use instead of your medication, or alongside it: 

  • Talking therapies 
  • Mindfulness 
  • Arts and creative therapies 
  • Ecotherapy 
  • Complementary and alternative therapies 
  • Peer support
  • Look after your physical health

Talking therapies

The NICE guidelines for treating depression recommend that doctors offer you a type of talking  therapy or counselling. This will often be cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Talking therapies may be offered instead of antidepressants, or in addition to them. 

See our pages on talking therapy and counselling for information about the other kinds of therapy  that are available.

Mindfulness 

Mindfulness is a way of giving your full attention to the present moment. Some studies show that  practising mindfulness can help to manage depression. 

Some structured mindfulness-based therapies have also been developed to treat mental health  problems more formally. For example, NICE recommends mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for  managing depression. 

Arts and creative therapies 

Arts and creative therapies help you express your feelings through things like painting, clay work,  music or drama therapy. They can help you deal with your symptoms, especially if you find it difficult  to talk about how you’re feeling. 

Ecotherapy 

Ecotherapy is a type of therapeutic treatment which involves doing outdoor activities in nature. This  may include working on a conservation project or gardening. Or you may walk or cycle through  areas of nature. 

Complementary and alternative therapies 

Some people find complementary and alternative therapies helpful in managing their symptoms. For  example, this may be aromatherapy, reflexology or acupuncture. Complementary therapies may also  help manage some of the side effects of medication, if you decide to continue with it. 

Some herbal remedies can interact with antidepressants and other types of medication. So if you are  thinking about taking a herbal remedy alongside any medication, speak to your doctor or pharmacist  about whether this is safe. 

St John's wort 

St John's wort is a herbal medicine that is sometimes used to treat symptoms of depression and  anxiety. It is available to buy without needing a prescription.

There is some uncertainty about the effects of St John’s Wort, as well as the correct dose to take and  how it interacts with other medicines. It is best to seek advice from your doctor before taking it,  especially if you are already taking any kind of medication.

Peer support 

Peer support allows you to make connections with people who have had similar or shared experiences to  yours. If you’d like to try peer support, you could: 

"[What helps me is] running, healthy diet and Pilates. I also have friends and a support group that I  trust." 

Look after your physical health 

  • Think about what you eat and drink. Eating a balanced and nutritious diet may help to  manage some of your symptoms. Drinking plenty of water can also help your mental  wellbeing. See our pages on food and mood for more information. If you have a difficult  relationship with food and eating, our pages on eating problems may help. 
  • Try to be more active. Many people find regular physical activity helps to lift their mood,  boost their energy levels and keep them grounded in reality. See our pages on physical  activity and your mental health for more information. 
  • Try to get enough sleep. Getting enough sleep can sometimes feel difficult. But having a  good amount of quality sleep is very helpful for your mental health. See our pages on sleep  problems for more information.