Integrative Care and Mental Health Conditions: Adding Support Without Stopping Treatment
What NIMH and NCCIH say about complementary approaches for depression and anxiety, why prescribed treatment should not be stopped on your own, and where to find crisis help.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Urgent first: crisis help
If you or someone you know is struggling or having thoughts of suicide, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.[1] It is available 24/7/365, and conversations are free and confidential.[2] In life-threatening situations, call 911.[1]
This page is information only. It is not a substitute for care from a doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist or other licensed clinician.
Add support, do not stop treatment
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) says people should not stop taking a prescribed medication, even if they are feeling better, without the help of a health care provider.[1] A provider can adjust the plan to decrease the dose slowly and safely.[1] NCCIH says depression can be a serious illness, and not to use a complementary approach to replace conventional care or to postpone seeing a provider.[3] This applies whoever suggests a change, including a naturopath, a coach or a shop.
NCCIH advises: if you feel you may have a mental health problem, talk to a health care provider.[4]
What the sources say, one approach at a time
| Approach | What the source found | Strength of evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Acupuncture for depression | Some evidence it may modestly reduce symptoms.[3] | Promising but limited |
| Music therapy | May provide short-term benefits.[3] | Promising but limited |
| Yoga | Some evidence it may help with depression.[4] | Promising but limited |
| St. John's wort | Not all studies agree; the evidence is far from definitive.[4] | Mixed |
| Omega-3 supplements | Uncertain whether useful for depression.[4] | Insufficient evidence |
| SAMe or inositol | Current research does not support their use for depression.[4] | No good evidence of benefit |
| Light therapy for seasonal depression | May be useful as a preventive treatment for people with a history of seasonal affective disorder.[4] | Promising but limited |
| Complementary approaches for anxiety disorders | Less is known about whether they can help manage them.[4] | Insufficient evidence |
Many of these practices cannot be blinded, so expectation can influence results. Evidence for a single approach does not show that a whole naturopathic program works; Proper evidence not found for whole-system naturopathic care for mental health conditions in the sources we read (NCCIH, NIMH and PubMed searches).
Who may provide support
Practitioners differ by training and regulation. Licensed naturopathic physicians complete graduate-level education at an accredited naturopathic medical school, while traditional naturopaths may train in non-accredited programs and are not eligible for licensing, per NCCIH, and scope of practice varies by state.[6] Licensed psychiatrists, psychologists and counselors are regulated under separate rules that we did not read for this page. Whoever you see, ask how they will coordinate with your prescriber. See credentials and scope of practice.
Questions to bring to your clinician
- I want to add an approach. Could it interact with my medicine?
- What should I watch for after a change?
- If my medicine needs adjusting, how should that be done safely?
For topic pages, see naturopathic and integrative care for anxiety and depression, mindfulness and meditation for stress and coordinating complementary and medical care.
Frequently asked questions
Can I stop my antidepressant if I feel better?
Not on your own. NIMH says people should not stop a prescribed medication, even if they feel better, without a health care provider's help.[1]
Is St. John's wort a safe natural antidepressant?
NCCIH says evidence is far from definitive and that it can interact in dangerous, sometimes life-threatening ways with many medicines.[4]
Do yoga or acupuncture help depression?
There is some evidence they may help modestly, according to NCCIH, but they should not replace conventional care.[4][3]
What if I am in crisis?
Call or text 988, or call 911 in a life-threatening situation.[1]
Should I tell my psychiatrist about supplements?
Yes. NIMH notes that supplements combined with antidepressants can cause serotonin syndrome in rare cases.[1]
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
The St. John's wort warning
St. John's wort can interact in dangerous, sometimes life-threatening ways with a variety of medicines.[4] NCCIH says it can weaken the effects of many medicines.[5] NIMH warns that combining antidepressants with supplements that act on the serotonin system, such as St. John's wort, can cause a rare but life-threatening illness called serotonin syndrome.[1] See St. John's wort interactions. Do not start it while taking an antidepressant or other medicine without your prescriber's agreement.
References
- Mental Health Medications, National Institute of Mental Health. Read 2026-10-23.
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Read 2026-10-23.
- 8 Things To Know About Depression and Complementary Health Approaches, NCCIH. Read 2026-10-23.
- Mental Health, NCCIH. Read 2026-10-23.
- St. John’s Wort, NCCIH. Read 2026-10-23.
- Naturopathy, NCCIH. Read 2026-10-23.