Listen to the Full Interview Here:

Is Your Doctor Actually Trained to Handle Your Mental Health?

If you’ve ever gone to your doctor for anxiety, depression, or stress and felt like they didn’t really help—there’s a reason. Most doctors aren’t trained to handle mental health care. In fact, 75% of people struggling with mental health issues never receive proper treatment because their first point of contact is a primary care doctor who lacks the training to diagnose or treat them effectively.

That’s exactly what we’re diving into on the latest episode of The Vibe With Ky Podcast. I had the privilege of sitting down with Dr. Robert C. Smith, an award-winning physician, educator, and author of the upcoming book, Has Medicine Lost Its Mind? His life’s work focuses on fixing the broken mental health system—starting with better education for doctors.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who has ever felt dismissed by their doctor when talking about mental health—or anyone who wants to understand why our system is failing and how we can change it.

Let’s break it down.

Dr. Robert C. Smith

Meet Dr. Robert C. Smith

Dr. Robert C. Smith is a University Distinguished Professor at Michigan State University with decades of experience in both medicine and psychiatry. He is one of the leading voices pushing for a complete overhaul of how doctors are trained in mental health care. His work has been used in medical schools across the country, and his book, Has Medicine Lost Its Mind?, lays out a clear plan to fix the mental health crisis in America.

Where to Learn More About Dr. Smith:

Key Takeaways from the Interview

1. Primary Care Doctors Handle Most Mental Health Cases—But They Aren’t Trained For It

  • 75-80% of mental health care happens in primary care settings.
  • Yet only 2% of medical school training focuses on mental health. That’s about five weeks of education, compared to thousands of hours spent on cancer, heart disease, and surgery.
  • Many doctors want to help but lack the proper training to diagnose and treat conditions like depression, anxiety, and ADHD.

2. Mental Health Issues Are More Common Than Cancer & Heart Disease—But Get Far Less Attention

  • 1 in 4 Americans experiences a major mental illness each year (National Institute of Mental Health).
  • Mental health conditions are more common than cancer and heart disease combined.
  • Despite this, medical schools spend a fraction of their curriculum on teaching mental health care.

3. The Mental Health System Is Set Up to Fail—And It’s Costing Lives

  • 90 million Americans live with an undiagnosed or untreated mental health condition.
  • This leads to higher rates of divorce, job loss, homelessness, addiction, and incarceration.
  • Many doctors are forced to prescribe medication without proper training—sometimes based on information from pharmaceutical reps instead of real education.

4. Mental Health Care Isn’t Just a “Nice to Have”—It Affects Everything

  • Untreated mental illness costs the U.S. economy $1 trillion a year in lost productivity (World Health Organization).
  • Preventable mental health conditions are tied to higher rates of chronic diseases like heart disease, obesity, and diabetes.
  • Mental and physical health are deeply connected—but our system still treats them separately.

5. The Public Needs to Demand Change

  • Dr. Smith says the only way to fix this is for people to demand better from the healthcare system.
  • He proposes a new Flexner Report—a massive overhaul of medical education to ensure mental health is treated with the same importance as physical health.
  • Change won’t come from within medicine—it needs to come from the public pushing for reforms.

What Can You Do to Help?

Feeling fired up? Here’s how you can help make a difference:

✅ Talk to Your Doctor About Mental Health – Be direct and ask them about their approach to mental health care. If they seem dismissive, advocate for yourself.

✅ Demand Better Medical Training – Support policies that push for mental health education in medical schools.

✅ Write to Your Representatives – Dr. Smith has a sample letter on his website (robertcsmithmd.com) that you can send to Congress, the Surgeon General, and medical boards.

FAQ: Your Questions Answered

Q: Should I trust my primary care doctor for mental health care?

A: Yes and no. Many primary care doctors mean well, but they may lack proper training. If you’re struggling with mental health, ask for a referral to a specialist whenever possible.

Q: Why don’t medical schools teach more about mental health?

A: The system is outdated. Medical education was built over a century ago when physical diseases were the main concern. Mental health wasn’t prioritized—and it still isn’t.

Q: What should I do if I feel dismissed by my doctor?

A: Advocate for yourself. Say, “I need help with my mental health, and I’d like a referral to a specialist.” If they dismiss your concerns, find another doctor who will take you seriously.

Final Thoughts

The mental health crisis isn’t just about lack of access—it’s about doctors not being trained to handle it in the first place.

Dr. Robert Smith is leading the charge for change, and now it’s up to us to push the conversation forward. If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend, tag your doctor, and let’s start making real changes together.

Much love. Good vibes. – Ky