We may not have the equivalent of a vaccine for measles or a bed net for malaria, but low-cost, highly effective interventions are possible for most people either at risk for, or already suffering from, a mental illness. In low-resource environments, local residents or family members can be trained to provide brief, effective psychotherapies that treat moderate forms of depression or anxiety.
不是每位精神病患者都需要昂贵药物、住院甚至接受训练有素的精神科医生的直接治疗。我们或许没有麻疹疫苗或疟疾蚊帐那样的措施预防精神疾病，但对多数可能或者已经罹患精神疾病的人而言，完全可以得到低成本高效的治疗。在资源匮乏的环境下，可以训练当地居民或家庭成员提供针对轻度抑郁或焦虑的简单、有效的心理治疗。此外还可以借助电话和网络进行治疗。