Mental Health Myths
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Mental health is very complex, and therefore is commonly misunderstood. One of society’s biggest problems today is the stigma that has been created against having mental health issues. This is very harmful because it can prevent people from getting the help they need. The only way to stop this is by educating yourself and others on what is true and what is fake about mental health. This post will focus on debunking common myths surrounding mental health and giving you the truth behind them.
Myth #1 : Having a mental illness is rare.
Mental illness is actually more common than cancer and diabetes. About one in five Americans have had issues with their mental health, and one in twenty have a serious mental disorder. Today, about 450 million people are living with a mental or neurological condition.
Myth #2 : It is impossible for children to have mental health issues.
It is very possible for young children to show warning signs of serious mental health issues. Half of mental health disorders show first signs before the age of 14, and three quarters show signs before the age of 24. Because of this myth, many children are deprived of the mental healthcare they need. Giving care to children can help before the illness begins to affect their everyday life.
Myth #3 : Taking medication for your mental illness is bad.
Just like any other illness, sometimes taking medication is necessary. Medication for mental illness can be used to help people function in general and in society. It can also be used to ease symptoms of their disorder. When paired with therapy, medication can greatly improve the quality of someone’s life. Therefore, the use of psychiatric medication should not be looked down upon.
Myth #4 : You cannot prevent mental illness.
Addressing risk factors, such as exposure to trauma, can greatly reduce the chance of having a mental illness. Some different ways you can address risk factors are :
If you experienced a traumatic event, try to get help as soon as possible. Early treatment can reduce the risk of having problems in the future.
Reduce the stress level in your job and home.
Try to keep yourself in positive situations and around positive people. By doing this, you can reduce your overall healthcare costs and have an overall better quality of life.
Myth #5 : There is no way to recover from a mental illness.
Mental health does not stay the same, and can change many times over the course of your life. Going to therapy and getting the help that is needed can help you work through your problem and recover. However, recovery does not always mean that the problem is gone. Recovery means you have learned to live with your problem and you have found ways to cope with it. Some mental health problems never go away, such as schizophrenia. Others, like depression and anxiety, might go away with the proper treatment and care.
This may be surprising to you, but many people genuinely believe these myths surrounding mental health. This is very harmful misinformation. The stigma surrounding getting help for mental health can cause some people to never seek treatment at all. Some even take their own lives because they are scared what people will think of them. This should never happen. Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of. Learning the truth behind these myths can help you and others, and could possibly save a life.
Resources
“Mental Health Myths and Facts.” Mental Health Myths and Facts | MentalHealth.gov, https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/mental-health-myths-facts .
“Six Myths and Facts about Mental Illness.” NAMI, https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/October-2019/Six-Myths-and-Facts-about-Mental-Illness .
familydoctor.org editorial staff and Alex Rice. “Mental Health Myths: Stop the Stigma.” Familydoctor.org, 28 Sept. 2021, https://familydoctor.org/mental-health-myths-stop-stigma/amp/ .
“Myths & Facts About Mental Illness.” Frontier Behavioral Health, 22 June 2022, https://fbhwa.org/facts/about-behavioral-health/myths-facts-about-mental-illness .
“11 Myths about Mental Health.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/medical-myths-mental-health-misconceptions .
By Kylee Roberts, MH Virtual Assistant
Co-Written by Amber Madden, NCC, LPCC-S
