PhD Candidate
“Research? No, that’s not for me. I just want to be a clinician.”
That was the first thing I said when someone asked if I was interested in research as an undergraduate student. Fast forward several years, I catch myself wondering ‘What did you get yourself into?’ as I attempt to write my doctoral dissertation.
When we hear the word “research” – many of us think of chemistry labs, researchers with white coats and goggles, pouring chemicals in test tubes.
Well, that’s true for some disciplines. But I’m here to share that research is no stranger when it comes to mental health. As someone who identifies as a researcher but also a practitioner, my goal is to bridge the gap between research and clinical practice in the mental health field.
In the clinical world, we often preach “evidence-based practice.” It simply means we base our clinical practice on research, ensuring our interventions for our clients are backed up by scientific evidence.
The stereotype of research is that it can be difficult to understand, and it’s boring. However, I’m here to remind you that research exists to servepeople like you and I, not for it to live in the shelves of an archive. Whether we go to see someone for therapy or to get medication for our mental health, we want our providers to be getting what their information based on research. We want them to understand what science speaks about the interventions we are receiving.
Imagine you walked into a doctor’s office and ask them for a prescription for an allergic reaction. Your doctor hands you a prescription. You ask your doctor, “How will this help me?” And what if they say “Well, I don’t know. I think it should do something!” You’ll probably never go back to that office, right? That may sound a bit dramatic, but I think that’s a good way of seeing how research is a part of our daily lives. We all research the best type of laundry detergent, the cheapest way to get an international flight. We all spend more time than we would like to admit – scrolling on the internet to find the best of whatever we may want. If that’s the case, why are we so afraid of going to seek credible source about our mental health?
I think it’s because we see research as a mythical thing that’s hard for us to understand. That research is difficult, boring, and it’s not for everyone. But what if that’s not the case? What if research can be fun, and intriguing as it provides you with more knowledge and understanding?
I always tell my clients – “Knowledge is power.” The more we know (from a credible source, based on research), the better we can understand ourselves, including our mental health. I hope 2024 is a year where each of us on our mental health journey can learn what it means not to shy away from giving ourselves a chance to know the scientific truth behind our mental health.
Happy New Year! Thank you Haelim for sharing a bit about research. While research can often be overlooked or seen as too complex, it is important people understand the critical role social science plays in mental healthcare and the related conversations. I encourage everyone to stay aware of the continuous developments being made in the field, and I hope you will check back for the next blog.