Mental health is now a big problem for so many people. At least 44 million Americans are suffering from some type of mental health condition. Nearly a fourth of these individuals are not receiving any type of assistance for their problems. While proven medical treatments are available, some people can benefits from natural treatments for their condition.

While prescription treatments may be necessary to treat certain types of clinical depression, the following natural methods may also aid mental health:

1. Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been used in eastern medicine for years. It also has been a part of the western medical field though many still don’t consider it a valid medical practice. Acupuncture aims to help people who suffer from depression by redirecting the flow of energy in their body. In short, the negative energy is misdirected out of a person’s body and good energy is circulated to their mind to help change a person’s mood.

2. Hypnosis
The process of hypnosis is designed to change a person’s mental attitude. A person is placed under a temporary sleeping state where their mind is freed from thinking about their current condition or any negative thoughts. This process is an alternative medicine treatment that is not a proven treatments. As with acupuncture, medical professionals find a need for hypnosis as one of the depression treatments. This method is often better than drug and alcohol treatment centers.

3. Biofeedback therapy
Biofeedback therapy is a neurotherapy process that utilizes electrodes to heal a person’s brain. Neurotherapy requires a patient to have electrodes to their brain that alters some of the brain’s natural electrical currents to produce a better mood. This procedure is performed in a safe way. The altered brain processes will aims to help a person’s brain to temporarily come out of a depressed state. This is another process that is not proven science, but has shown some success with treating mental health patients. This process has also shown promise to helping depressive patients who also suffer from drug or alcohol abuse.

4. Yoga
Yoga is mind-body practice that is derived from Hindu and Buddhist beliefs. This practice has various techniques that help people to control their breathing and to relax their minds. This technique is often used one of the major depression treatments. People suffering from these two mental health conditions often use this process as a form of treatment. Yoga connects people via body and mind, and utilizes the benefits of the surroundings, which means yoga done in natural environments (i.e., park, beach) is truly therapeutic.

5. Reflexology
Reflexology is a massage like procedure that is also called zone therapy. This process focuses on the hands and feet area of a person’s body to bring about healing and relief. The pressure areas within these parts of the body are able to temporarily change a person’s mood for the better. It is commonly used for treating schizophrenia and manic depression.

6. Exercise and diet
Physical activity and eating healthy helps to get rid of negative energy that often accompanies depression and mental health disorders. People can also use natural substances such as Omega-3 fatty oils, Maca Root and Valerian to help their mental health symptoms to temporarily decline. Natural remedies don’t always work but they are effective enough for providing relief form mental health disorders when it is needed the most.