Abstract
Understanding integrative approaches to mental health care can improve the responsiveness of the mental health system. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use is on the rise. Research documents that many mental health consumers use CAM. This exploratory study attempts to advance awareness of CAM in mental health by examining mental health consumers’ usage of CAM, their experiences in discussing CAM use with providers, and how CAM use relates to mental health recovery. Results show that 72% of the sample uses such methods, and CAM use is associated with recovery. About 54% of respondents feel CAM combined with medication is more effective than medication alone, and many endorse positive beliefs about CAM. Most consumers shared CAM use with their providers, but when they did not, the main reasons were fear of provider judgment and provider attitudes being a deterrent.
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Data Availability
Study data are available upon request from the corresponding author.
Change history
12 July 2023
A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-023-01164-4
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This research was supported by ESU FDR (Grant Number #2019033).
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All authors contributed to the study concept and design. The principal investigator collected all the data with the student research assistants. The assistants cleaned the quantitative data, which were analyzed by CH, the project statistician. MDD and JPE conducted the qualitative analysis. The entire team reviewed and discussed data analysis at length. The principal investigator wrote the final draft and all team members, edited and commented, read and approved the final manuscript.
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Clossey, L., DiLauro, M.D., Edwards, J.P. et al. Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Use Among Mental Health Consumers. Community Ment Health J 59, 1549–1559 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-023-01142-w
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-023-01142-w