Mental illness and mental health are conundrums we would rather avoid. They are the things we would want to sweep under the carpet. Let us dust the carpet and bust the myths.
Myth 1
Mental problems are rare.
Fact: One in four people will experience a mental health problem, which means someone you know may be struggling with mental illness.
Myth 2
People with mental illness aren’t able to work.
Fact: People with a mental illness can hold down a successful job. We all probably work with someone experiencing a mental health problem.
Myth 3
You can’t recover from mental health problems.
Fact: They might not go away forever, but lots of people with mental health problems still work, have families, and lead full lives.
Myth 4
People with mental illness are usually violent and unpredictable.
Fact: Most people with mental health problems, even those with severe ones like schizophrenia, are not violent. Someone with a mental illness is more likely to be a victim of violence than to inflict it.
Myth 5
Young people just go through ups and downs as part of puberty – it’s nothing serious.
Fact: One in eight young people will experience a mental health problem.
Myth 6
People with mental illness are responsible for their illness or for their behaviour related to their illness.
Fact: They are overwhelmed by their life circumstances, are struggling and are not responsible for their illness.
Myth 7
I can’t do anything to support someone with a mental health problem.
Fact: There are lots of things you can do to make a difference to their lives, like :
Dr Chavi Bhargava Sharma is the Founder and CEO of Indic Center for Psychological Wellness and Holistic Health and Conversationists—Talking Cures.