Of all the fine lines individuals in society are required to walk, perhaps one of the most difficult is the one which a mental health provider must walk.

Often, the mental health care professional is the only one to whom an individual’s deepest, darkest secrets are revealed.

Immense trust is imperative for diagnosing and treating psychiatric conditions appropriately, as there are a variety of modalities available for treatment.

Sworn to a level of professional confidentiality and objectivity, perhaps even more sensitive than a medical physician or religious confidant, a psychiatrist cannot be, in the social sense, a "friend."

People may socialize with other health providers, having supper with the guy that prescribes antibiotics, going for a coke with the gal that stitched up a wound, rubbing elbows at a sporting event with the hospital chief of staff, but the "shrink" is rarely acknowledged as someone a patient would admit knowing on the "outside".

Psychiatrist Jiri Danczik, formerly of the Czech Republic, now resides in Carlsbad and serves the Artesia community at Artesia Health Resources one day at week.

Danczik well knows the balance required to win the confidence of a patient, yet not become involved on a highly personal level.

He notes that "Artesia certainly needs a full-time psychiatrist," but the challenge is greater to maintain that professional distance for a full-time practitioner in a small town.

"People get to know you as a person," explains Danczik. "They get to know more about you," which may decrease the ability to disassociate."

Danczik, however, is a person, with a charming smile, a quick sense of humor and a family, "two kids — only one wife," quips Danczik.

Trudy Fogg, administrator for Artesia Health Resources, says of Danczik, "He brings a service to our community that we desperately need. I admire his commitment to the patients and to AHR.

"Dr. Danczik has a wonderful personality and is a great person with whom to work. He enhances our work environment and enjoys a wonderful rapport with our patients.

"Patient care ... the commitment to patient care, is something for which I think Dr. Danczik should be commended," Fogg continues.

"This is a service that has been lacking in Artesia for a long time. We are grateful for Dr. Danczik and the professionalism he brings to serving our patients and our community."

After receiving his medical degree in the Czech Republic, Danczik practiced internal medicine, although he had worked in different fields, as a pharmaceutical representative for Eli Lilly, in managerial positions, as well as exploring a variety of cultures and geographical regions throughout the years, becoming acquainted with various ethnicities.

Through this outlook, Danczik believes that there are more similarities than differences in people. "I’m very alike," he explains, noting that the more diverse his experience has been, the more "different" people with whom he has associated, the more alike we all are.

Following a lifelong passion for learning and a childhood dream "to live in areas where his favorite tribes once used to and still live," Danczik speaks of his love for Native American history and the path that brought him to Eddy County.

Danczik determined in 1994 to immigrate to America and in 1997 began medical residency in Brooklyn, New York, completing the requirements this past summer.

"I think this is my field," says Danczik, "at least for the next 20 years."

Danczik also relates that "the field is very demanding ... emotionally draining and you have to take care of yourself and make sure you can come to work the next day."

Part of the problem of having only one psychiatrist for 30,000 to 40,000 people is limitation of time and resources, not always being able to delve into more time-consuming modalities, for example, deferring instead to enhancing a patient’s abilities to function more immediately.

Exploring mental illness and the various modalities available for treatment can be like a maze — it’s not always an A to Z path — and the most urgent issues are addressed first.

Even with psychopharmacology, there may be different trials of agents before the most effective method is selected, given that each individual may respond differently to different medications.

Medical doctors may also prescribe psychotropic medications, but their resources are limited.

Although some conditions respond well to drug therapy, other patients may need referral for more in-depth psychiatric treatment.

Psychiatry differs from psychology in subtle ways, although the foundation of both philosophies is similar, i.e., dealing with mental function.

Psychiatry is, according to the 27th edition of Dorland’s Medical Dictionary, "that branch of medicine which deals with the study, treatment and prevention of mental disorders."

Dorland’s defines psychology as "that branch of science which deals with the mind and mental processes."

There is, unfortunately, a social stigma attached to seeking and receiving treatment. "We all are part of that stigma," opines Danczik. "Psychiatrists have to balance between fighting against the stigma and protecting clients."

But as knowledge and understanding grow, so too does acceptance. "It’s human nature," Danczik states, "to be scared of what you don’t understand."

He notes that patients who might have an easier time sharing their issues with a doctor are more likely to have had a family member who has received help. Their level of understanding and confidence transcends the fear.

Another aid is that there now is some "cross-training" in other fields, for example, social workers, although not psychotherapists, are learning to be more aware of psychological issues and how to address them.