A psychiatrist is a specialist medical doctor who assesses and treats patients with mental health issues. Psychiatrists often work in collaboration with general practitioners and other health professionals to best meet the emotional and mental health needs of patients.

They play pivotal roles in the research, teaching, and administration of mental health care as well as advocating for and leading improvements in service provision. Psychiatrists treat all types of mental illness, emotional disturbance and abnormal behaviour from mild or episodic conditions to those that are severe, persistent and life threatening (1).

Psychiatrists develop comprehensive treatment plans and provides shorter or long term care depending on the needs of the patient. Psychiatrists work in partnership with patients and their families and carers and are attuned to the various social and cultural factors that impact on the individual patient.

Psychiatry at its core, involves careful listening and sensitively to people’s most personal thoughts and feelings, understanding their mental state, and working with them to identify and implement appropriate treatments including psychotherapy, psychotropic medication, social strategies and other interventions (1).