During Mental Health Awareness Month, there is a drive towards educating more people about the realities of mental illnesses. There are still many misconceptions and myths about mental health out there, and it’s important to know what’s true and what isn’t. Here are a few of the top myths around mental illness, debunked:

Myth #1: Only Certain Types of People Get Mental Illnesses

Fact: Everyone is vulnerable to mental health problems. Mental illness can affect people from all walks of life, regardless of their race, gender, age, education, culture or socio-economic status.

Myth #2: Mental Health Problems aren’t “Real” Illnesses

Fact: Mental illnesses are legitimate illnesses. They are diagnosable medical conditions, and even if they are “invisible” (i.e. they can’t be seen physically), they can cause significant distress and have a major impact on an individual’s wellbeing.

Myth #3: Mental Illness is a Sign of Weakness

Fact: Mental illness causes changes in brain chemistry which can decrease a person’s ability to cope with increased stressors on a chemical level. This does not mean they are weak.

There is a widespread misinformed belief that people with mental illnesses should “toughen up” and “just get over it”. But just like any other illness, mental health disorders can affect anyone and are not a sign of a weak character.

Myth #4: People with Mental Health Problems are Dangerous and Unpredictable

Fact: Mental illness and violence do not necessarily go hand in hand. While some subsets of mental illness may increase the likelihood that people will lash out, in most cases, mental illness does not make a person dangerous.

Mental health problems can affect the way that people think, which can affect their behaviour, but it does not necessarily make them more violent towards other people. Many individuals affected by mental illness lead very normal lives, although more severe cases may require hospitalisation for effective treatment.

Myth #5: Mental Illness Has One Specific Cause

Fact: Mental health problems are the result of a complex interplay between biological, psychological, social and environmental factors. There is no one root cause of mental illness, although traumatic and stressful experiences can often be a trigger.

Myth #6: People with Mental Illness Can’t Hold a Job

Fact: There are many people in the everyday workplace who have mental illnesses, or who have experienced a mental illness at some point in their lives. Mental illness doesn’t mean that someone isn’t capable of working or that they can’t perform well at their job.

Myth #7: Mental Illness is a Lifelong Problem

Fact: Mental health problems can be treated and managed. With the right kind of help, such as professional counselling and medication, many people do recover from mental illness.

Misconceptions about mental illnesses can lead to exclusion and discrimination, which is harmful to those affected and also does a disservice to those in the wider community. By debunking these widespread myths about mental health, we can break down barriers and encourage better understanding, treating those affected with dignity and respect.

 

Sources:

12 Myths and Facts about Mental Illness. Retrieved from: https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/mental-health/related/mental-illness-myths/