Let's see...

why so much hate for shrinks and the mental health industry?

Their toll on humanity??

Is it the concept of self-analysis thats perturbing or the shrinks themselves?

How is self-analysis inextricable from the Mental Health Industry??

Once I read an excellent article about streetwalkers. This was in a certain place where all prostitution is illegal, but is laxly enforced against. Prostitutes reported that many clients didn't want any sex - they just paid them their fees to climb into their cars or go to a 24h diner and talk about their life and problems. How is this inferior to what the Mental Health Industry does??

The answers to why we do the things we do and who we really are can ONLY be found through self-analysis.

Biology is starting to differ...

Religion offers nothing beyond thought stimulation. Philosophies help us to understand how to recognize and interpret the answers we seek.

So, for the first 5900 years of history of humanity or so, people were utterly incapable of self-analysing...

Right... I am sure I can bring it back in time if I did the homework, but I'll leave you with the Classic Greeks' "Know Thyself" for contrary proof.

Shrinks are schooled in these matters and their goal is to guide others who are less able to self-analyze.

Analyse the incentive structures they face, and you will see that they don't.

The prostitute is there because the client wanted to speak rather than a blowjob - but she can get money whatever the result is for the client, because other clients will indeed want a blowjob.

The priest is there to perform religious services, of which helping the flock with life problems is not a "fixed" service but an additional part of the job which does not subscribe to any specific category such as ceremonies, record keeping or education do. Either there are fixed fees for specific services, such as weddings or funerals; or the congregation depends completely on donations. Both ways, the priest does not depend either way on the result of their advice.

The shrink, like the lawyer, works by the hour. The more hours, the more they get. In private practice, having the patient lose the need for therapy doesn't maximise hours. In public practice, not fulfilling the goals set by the agency in charge doesn't maximise hours.

The mental helth industry in general may be responsible for some horrible actions but that can be said for every aspect of humanity.

Yay!! Naturalistic fallacy!!

That it is commonplace and probably inherent in humanity doesn't make it above all criticism.

Bad news reports can't taint ones view of an entire industry unless their mind is closed to the obvious fact that the majority of the people seeking mental health assistance do benefit from it.

Oh no, this was only another confirmation.

And, btw, and as pointed out by others, it's hardly like all those who have assistance sought it out voluntarily. The quote of the Chinese doctor was also heard by some people on this very board...

And if you label "I feel better" as benefit, then yes, that probably has benefit. I'd rather have a vodka or two to feel better, but that's just me.