ABSTRACT
A range of natural or complementary therapies are used for mental-health problems—particularly anxiety and depression. The majority of Australians also routinely use what might be called ‘complementary and alternative medicine’ (CAM). CAM or therapies comprise a diverse range of practices, products and approaches to health that are generally not considered part of conventional or orthodox medicine, nursing and allied health. As service users of CAM in the general community, nursing students are likely to have some knowledge of complementary and alternative therapies, as they may have used them in their personal lives. CAMs typically are viewed favourably by service users, who often choose to use CAM to support their health. This chapter outlines the use of complementary and alternative therapies in mental health. These therapies increasingly are being recognised as effective for a number of mental health issues or problems, and can offer service users a further range of therapeutic approaches from which to select.
