Mental illnesses affect many people, either directly by personal experience or indirectly by knowing someone who has experienced a mental illness at some point. However, there are still many hurtful attitudes around mental illnesses and it is important to learn the facts and begin treating people with mental illnesses with respect and dignity.
Myth: Mental illnesses aren’t real illnesses
Fact: Mental illnesses create distress, don’t go away on their own and are real health problems. For most of them effective treatments are available.
Myth: Mental illness only affects a few people
Fact: Mental illnesses are common. One in four people will experience a mental health problem in any given year. It affects people of all ages, cultures and educational and income levels.
Myth: Mental illness is caused by a personal weakness
Fact: Mental illness is not a character flaw. It is caused by genetic, biological, social and environmental factors. Seeking and accepting help is a sign of strength.
Myth: People with a mental illness are violent and should be kept in hospital
Fact: People with a mental illness are no more violent or dangerous than the rest of the population. People with a mental illness are more likely to be victims of violence or harm themselves than they are to hurt other people.
Myth: People with a mental illness never get better
Fact: With the right kind of help, most people do recover and lead healthy, productive and satisfying lives.
Myth: Mental health problems do not affect children or youth; any problems they have are just part of growing up
Fact: One in five children and young people struggle with their mental health. Of adult mental illness, 70% begins during childhood or adolescence. These conditions include depression, eating disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder and anxiety disorders. However, 79% of youth who receive help improve significantly with treatment.
Myth: Bad parenting causes mental illnesses
Fact: No one factor causes mental illnesses. Mental illnesses are complicated conditions that arise from a combination of genetics, biology, environment and life experiences. Family members and loved ones do have a big role to play in support and recovery.
Myth: People who experience mental illnesses can’t work
Fact: Workplaces are filled with people who have experienced mental illnesses. Mental illnesses don’t mean that someone is no longer capable of working. Some people benefit from changes or modifications at work to support their goals, but many people work with little support from their employer.
Myth: People with a mental illness lack intelligence
Fact: Certain mental illnesses may make it difficult for people to remember facts or get along with other people, making it seem like they are cognitively challenged. Overall, the level of intelligence among people with mental illness parallels the patterns seen in any healthy population.
Myth: People with mental health problems don’t experience discrimination
Fact: Nine out of ten people with mental health problems experience stigma and discrimination.
Misconceptions about mental illnesses exclude people from our communities and create barriers to wellbeing. If we want to reduce the impact of mental illnesses on our communities, we need to challenge the myths that contribute to the stigma that many people still face. Volunteering with a community mental health organisation is a great way to connect with people who experience mental illnesses and to learn from each other.
Sources
www.cmha.ca
www.mentalhealth.wa.gov.au
www.time-to-change.org.uk