ABSTRACT
The aim of this chapter is to explore complementary and integrative medicine (CIM) use for the two most prevalent mental health conditions: depression and anxiety. The model of integrative mental health care (IMHC) is explored, and is an important model for providing optimal mental health outcomes for women. The large variability in prevalence estimates was due to a range of factors such as culture, age, area of residence (urban or rural), economic status, and gender. Mind-body medicine is an umbrella term covering a wide variety of therapeutic techniques focusing on the ways in which emotional, mental, social, spiritual, experiential, and behavioural factors can directly affect health. Herbal medicines have been used since antiquity for anxiety and depression symptoms, and a variety of herbs are available for these conditions with varying levels of efficacy. Evidence for the efficacy of acupuncture for mental health is very limited, and considered insufficient for depression.
