A psychiatrist is a medical doctor by training, and has obtained post-graduate qualifications and training to specialise in the field of Psychiatry. A psychiatrist is able to diagnose clinical psychiatric conditions,  prescribe medication treatment, and may also provide other forms of treatment such as neurostimulation.

A psychologist is a professional trained in understanding the emotions, cognitive processes and behaviour patterns of people. They may perform psychological testing, or provide psychotherapy as a treatment option for psychiatric disorders. Psychotherapy is also known as "talking therapy", and the approach is determined by the need of the client.

A counsellor is someone who is trained to provide general guidance and advice to people who need it. A counsellor differs from a psychologist, as the latter is trained in more specific therapy approaches such as CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) to address psychological issues at a deeper level.

Depression is a clinical disorder that is characterized by persistent and pervasive sadness for a minimum duration of 2 weeks. It is also accompanied with other symptoms such as disturbed sleep and appetite, negative thoughts, feelings of hopelessness, poor motivation and loss of interest. If you have been feeling sad for a long time, do consider reaching out to a mental health provider for further discussion.

It can be difficult to talk about mental health with friends and family. You can consider passing a brochure or article about mental health to your family member, and have a chat about it.

If you are keen to link your family member up with a mental health provider, you can consider a polyclinic referral for subsidised care, or contact a provider in the private sector for a more discreet experience. People are often worried about seeking help for mental health issues, hence your assurance and support would be very helpful.