Mental Health: Fact vs. Fiction
Mental health is essential to overall wellbeing, yet many myths can create confusion and stigma. Distinguishing fact from fiction can help foster a more supportive and compassionate environment for yourself and others facing mental health challenges.
Here are a few common myths and the facts that debunk them.
Myth: Mental health concerns can't affect me.
Fact: Mental health concerns can affect anyone. One in five American adults experiences a mental health condition each year, and one in six young people has experienced a major depressive episode. Furthermore, suicide remains one of the leading causes of death in the United States.
Myth: People with mental health conditions are violent.
Fact: Only 3%-5% of violent acts are linked to serious mental illness. Most individuals with a mental health condition are no more likely to enact violence than the general population. In fact, those with mental illness are more than 11 times more likely to be victims.
Myth: Mental health concerns are due to personality weakness or character flaws, and people can "snap out of it" if they try hard enough.
Fact: Mental health conditions are not a sign of laziness or weakness. They can stem from genetics, trauma, family history or brain chemistry. With support, many people with mental health conditions can improve and recover.
Myth: Therapy and self-help are a waste of time.
Fact: Treatment for mental health conditions varies depending on the individual and could include medication, therapy or both. Many individuals do their best when working with a support system during healing and recovery.
Myth: I can't do anything for a person with a mental health concern.
Fact: Friends and loved ones play a crucial role in someone's mental health journey by offering support, helping them access services and teaching self-care and coping skills. It's also important to share accurate mental health information, treat them with respect and avoid defining them by their diagnosis.
Sources: Mental Health.gov and NAMI
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