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We Can Do Better: Urgent Innovations to Improve Mental Health Access and Care
A leading psychiatrist and expert reveals important issues in mental health care today and introduces innovations to revolutionize and improve mental health for everyone.Mental health care systems are falling short and the consequences, for individuals and societies, are dire. In this urgent book, celebrated psychiatrist and mental health care advocate Dr. David Goldbloom outlines proven innovations in medicine and health care delivery that we all could benefit from today. Using fictional—but all too real—examples of people suffering from various mental illnesses, from depression to opioid addiction, and drawn from his real-life experiences in this field, Dr. Goldbloom shows barriers to care and other faults in mental health care systems. He then reveals simple, yet startlingly effective tools for improving access and treatment that can help people now—if we only had the will to share, use, and fund these (and more) brilliant -Self-referrals for faster access to care -Apps and e-tools for treatment, rehabilitation, and self-monitoring between appointments -Remote coaching for effectively treating common childhood problems -Integrated youth services to improve early intervention -Personalized care to ensure treatments don’t fail patients -Rapid-access housing for the homeless and mentally ill so they can begin a journey of care While technologies such as smart phones and genetic testing play a role, these innovations are about people. They address waiting times to see specialists, the lack of coordination between health care institutions, and the stigma that often comes with seeking help—even stigma among health care providers. They broaden the definition of what mental health care can even be, such as providing housing, or low-intensity training for day-to-day life. Smart, candid, personal, and persuasive, this new book is a timely call for better access to and quality of help—a roadmap to better well-being for everyone.
- GenresNonfictionMedicine
195 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 4, 2021
5 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
About the author
David Goldbloom
5 books32 followersDr. David Goldbloom, OC, MD, FRCPC (born 1953) is a Canadian psychiatrist, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto, author, lecturer and mental health advocate. He is currently the Senior Medical Advisor of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and a psychiatric consultant
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 9, 2022
Humane…Accessible…Brilliant! Mental illness is such a yawning, abysmal public issue. Whether it’s as pedestrian as trying to help suffering friends and family, to acting in the capacity of legislator, advocate, innovator, or full-fledged psychiatric professional, the battle seems hopelessly Sisyphean. I believed (until recently) it’s so intractable that to think our way out is analogous to jumping in the hole pulling the hole in after you.
In We Can Do Better, Dr. Goldbloom - a rockstar of the Canadian mental health industry - offers concrete, measurable, and compassionate reforms we can be implementing right now. We CAN do better, so much better, in raising the level of well-being in our society. The epidemic of mental illness is not only one health crisis among many - I mean, take your pick: heart disease, cancer, lung disease, stroke, diabetes, COVID-19, homelessness, etc. - It is arguably THE GREATEST among them. Because it’s not exactly clear to what extent the foregoing are manifestations of lifestyle and psychological troubles.
Science has and will continue to inform us on that question. But here’s what we do know: when technological innovation, psychopharmacology, advocacy, corporate funding, academe, cutting-edge therapies, coaching, and perhaps most prominently, an invested and maternal public purse cooperate with one another…EVERYTHING improves! But if dignity and compassion are not persuasive enough, then let the money speak. A psychologically more sound citizenry measurably relieves our already overburdened Emergency Unit, and lifts everyone up economically.
In this book, Dr. Goldbloom goes full beast-mode, dropping knowledge-bomb after knowledge-bomb. He also manages to keep it charming and appropriately humorous.
Chef-d’œuvre!
In We Can Do Better, Dr. Goldbloom - a rockstar of the Canadian mental health industry - offers concrete, measurable, and compassionate reforms we can be implementing right now. We CAN do better, so much better, in raising the level of well-being in our society. The epidemic of mental illness is not only one health crisis among many - I mean, take your pick: heart disease, cancer, lung disease, stroke, diabetes, COVID-19, homelessness, etc. - It is arguably THE GREATEST among them. Because it’s not exactly clear to what extent the foregoing are manifestations of lifestyle and psychological troubles.
Science has and will continue to inform us on that question. But here’s what we do know: when technological innovation, psychopharmacology, advocacy, corporate funding, academe, cutting-edge therapies, coaching, and perhaps most prominently, an invested and maternal public purse cooperate with one another…EVERYTHING improves! But if dignity and compassion are not persuasive enough, then let the money speak. A psychologically more sound citizenry measurably relieves our already overburdened Emergency Unit, and lifts everyone up economically.
In this book, Dr. Goldbloom goes full beast-mode, dropping knowledge-bomb after knowledge-bomb. He also manages to keep it charming and appropriately humorous.
Chef-d’œuvre!
June 18, 2021
I was diagnosed with bipolar 1 disorder 19 years ago after being hospitalized with a major manic episode. Since then I have read many books and articles on mental health. A favorite book is How Can I Help? by Dr David Goldbloom. It was with great anticipation that I ordered his most recent book, We Can Do Better.
The book is fantastic. I love how each chapter begins with a story of a patient (fictionalized but based on Dr Goldbloom’s decades of clinical practice). Each of them is described as having had different mental health issues. I wanted to root for them the rest of the way. I saw myself in those pages.
The book is chalk full of information on exciting new technologies used in the treatment of mental illness including gene therapy and digital health tools.
I understand that Dr Goldbloom wrote most of the book before the pandemic but was able to pivot to include discussion around doing appointments by videoconference, something which I hope continues especially for remote areas where psychiatrists historically have been unavailable.
Dr Goldbloom’s compassion and incurable optimism permeate throughout the book and is contagious. His humour pops out at the reader at just the right times.
I have recommended We Can Do Better to many people. It is a must read for those of us with mental health disorders and the people who care for us including our families, friends and medical professionals.
The book is fantastic. I love how each chapter begins with a story of a patient (fictionalized but based on Dr Goldbloom’s decades of clinical practice). Each of them is described as having had different mental health issues. I wanted to root for them the rest of the way. I saw myself in those pages.
The book is chalk full of information on exciting new technologies used in the treatment of mental illness including gene therapy and digital health tools.
I understand that Dr Goldbloom wrote most of the book before the pandemic but was able to pivot to include discussion around doing appointments by videoconference, something which I hope continues especially for remote areas where psychiatrists historically have been unavailable.
Dr Goldbloom’s compassion and incurable optimism permeate throughout the book and is contagious. His humour pops out at the reader at just the right times.
I have recommended We Can Do Better to many people. It is a must read for those of us with mental health disorders and the people who care for us including our families, friends and medical professionals.
September 26, 2023
This book provides exactly what it says it will. Dr. Goldbloom offers timely, practical thoughts on what ideas will stem the bleeding in the field of mental health. There are quite a few interesting veins of exploration that Dr. Goldbloom analyses and I was impressed to read about the interventions which show promise at bringing more widely accessible care to the masses.
However at the same time the book left me disappointed as it often underscored the realities of the Canadian healthcare system in which we need to write a book suggesting solutions which are perhaps “the best we can do” and not “the best care possible”. The solutions do not fix the shortage of professionals in the helping professions (doctors, nurses, psychologists, psychotherapists, social workers, etc.). But I know that they are meaningful answers to a problem where many policy makers aren’t able to commit the funds to ensure accessible care in perfect ways. I think this book would be a good read for anyone working in a helping profession to see what trends may be worth exploring and putting into practice in the next 3-5 years.
However at the same time the book left me disappointed as it often underscored the realities of the Canadian healthcare system in which we need to write a book suggesting solutions which are perhaps “the best we can do” and not “the best care possible”. The solutions do not fix the shortage of professionals in the helping professions (doctors, nurses, psychologists, psychotherapists, social workers, etc.). But I know that they are meaningful answers to a problem where many policy makers aren’t able to commit the funds to ensure accessible care in perfect ways. I think this book would be a good read for anyone working in a helping profession to see what trends may be worth exploring and putting into practice in the next 3-5 years.
June 24, 2021
Mental Health matters.
This is a must read to get a snapshot of the advances that are being made in mental health treatments and care, in Canada and abroad. Using narrative, Dr. David Goldbloom brings this complex topic to life in a way easy to understand and digest. This is a call to action, infused with hope. We can and must do better, not someday, but now. Not only in urban centres, but from coast to coast to coast. Read it and you will be motivated to help answer the call to do better.
This is a must read to get a snapshot of the advances that are being made in mental health treatments and care, in Canada and abroad. Using narrative, Dr. David Goldbloom brings this complex topic to life in a way easy to understand and digest. This is a call to action, infused with hope. We can and must do better, not someday, but now. Not only in urban centres, but from coast to coast to coast. Read it and you will be motivated to help answer the call to do better.
July 7, 2021
What an important and timely book, well worth reading by anyone with an interest in health care, especially mental health care in Canada, and beyond our borders. David Goldbloom once again demonstrates what a superb communicator he is, providing information in an easily readable form, with his wonderful sense of humour peeking through. I highly recommend WE CAN DO BETTER to anyone who cares about current affairs as well as the future for the many people in need of mental health help.
August 3, 2024
An incredible book that showcases real-world innovations that are already making scientifically validated, measurable differences in mental health care across Canada and the rest of the world. This book proves that a better way forward is possible - not just in the future, but right now. A must-read for anyone who cares about health care.
April 2, 2022
Minuteman. Canadian MD, former chair of Mental Health Commission of canada. Catalog of treatments whose value are underrecognized including remote coaching for ADHD, short-term dbt-like treatment for borderline, immediate housing, training to reduce negative symptoms of SZ, etc.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2022
Everyone needs to read this book. Community care at its finest.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews