A large proportion of what is classified as mental illness, is in the realm of anxiety, clinical or sub-clinical depression and mild versions of mood disorders such as bipolar disorder.

While it may be beneficial for most of the afflicted to take psychological counselling, psychiatry involving ingesting medicine should only be considered when a 'normal resolution' of the condition fails.

Now, what's a normal resolution? A condition like Seasonal Affective Disorder may resolve on its own and not lead to depression symptoms in winter. Based on some current studies, we may include exercise, diet, music and hobbies within the ambit of normal resolution for some of the other conditions.

I think, the way health services is organized is all wrong. Except for serious conditions, anyone that seeks help for mental health should be able to visit a team comprising a psychologist, a dietician and a physical exercise instructor (music therapists could also be included). If this fails, the individual shall have recourse to a clinical psychiatrist.

Psychologist Richard Bentall goes so far as to say that even for conditions such as Schizophrenia-- suspected to have a correlation with language development in humans-- psychiatric help should only be sought when symptoms are a 'bother'. If it doesn't bother you, you are not really afflicted! (and this includes some first rank symptoms too!!)