There are certainly a variety of feelings, pictures, and recollections that this brings up for you, and not all of them are likely to be favorable. Several misconceptions, misunderstandings, prejudices, and attitudes exist in the public discourse around mental illness.
When people suffer from mental issues, their families and employers are subject to criticism, prejudice, and isolation due to these factors. It is critical to understand the realities to end prejudice and treat persons suffering from mental diseases with decency and respect.
Myth: Mental health issues don’t influence me
Fact: Mental health issues are relatively prevalent.
- One in five American individuals has a mental health problem.
- One in 6 young persons suffered a severe depressive episode.
- One in 20 Americans lived with a significant mental disease, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or profound depression.
- Suicide is a prominent cause of death in the United States.
It was the 2nd most significant cause of mortality for those aged 10-24. It accounted for the death of more than 45,979 American lives in 2020, about double the number of lives lost to murder.
Myth: Children don’t face mental health concerns
Fact: Even very young toddlers may exhibit early warning signals of mental health difficulties.
These mental health disorders are typically clinically diagnosable and might be a consequence of the combination of biological, psychological, and social variables. Half of all mental health illnesses exhibit initial indicators before a person reaches adolescence, and three-quarters of mental health concerns begin before age 24.
Half of children and adolescents with mental health disorders do not get the therapy they require. Early mental health care may help a kid before difficulties interfere with other developmental requirements.
Myth: People with mental health disorders are aggressive and unpredictable.
Fact: The great majority of persons with mental health difficulties are no more likely to be violent than anybody else.
Most people with mental concerns are not violent, and approximately 3 percent –5 percent of violent actions may be linked to those living with a significant mental disorder. Those with severe mental disorders are a nearly ten times higher chance to be victims of violent crime than the general public.
You probably know someone with a mental concern issue and don’t recognize it since many individuals with mental health problems are engaged and influential members of our communities.
Myth: People with mental health issues, including those managing their mental disorders, cannot endure the stress of keeping down a job.
Fact: People with mental difficulties are just as influential as other workers.
Employers that recruit persons with mental health difficulties report vital attendance records, enthusiasm, good performance, and employment duration on a level with or more significant than regular workers.
When workers with mental health concerns get appropriate treatment, it might result in:
- Lower total medical expenses
- Increased productivity
- Lower absenteeism
- Decreased disability expenses
Myth: Personality deficiency or character faults create mental health difficulties. Individuals with psychological problems may break out of it if they strive.
Fact: Mental concerns have nothing to do with being sluggish or weak, and many individuals require support to become well.
Many causes lead to mental health disorders, including:
- Biological variables, such as heredity, physical sickness, injuries, or brain chemistry
- Life events, such as trauma or a history of abuse
- Family history of mental health difficulties
People with mental health disorders may get better, and many recover entirely.
Myth: There is no hope for persons with mental health difficulties. Once a family member or friend has mental health difficulties, they will never heal.
Fact: Studies demonstrate that persons with mental health disorders get well, and many recover fully.
Recovery relates to the process in which individuals can live, work, study, and engage fully in their respective communities. There are more therapies, programs, and community support networks than ever before, and they work.
Myth: Psychotherapy and self-help are a waste of money and time. Why struggle when you can take a pill?
Fact: Treatment for mental health disorders varies based on the person and might involve medication, counseling, or both.
Many folks work with a support network throughout the healing and rehabilitation process.
Myth: We can’t do anything for people with mental health conditions.
Fact: Friends and family members can make a tremendous impact.
In the recent past, just 20 percent of people got any mental health care, including 10 percent who got counseling or therapy from a specialist.
Friends and family may be crucial influencers to help someone seek the care and assistance they need by:
- Reaching out and making them aware you are there to assist
- Assisting people to receive mental health care
- Understanding and spreading the facts regarding mental health, particularly if you hear anything that isn’t accurate
- Treating them with dignity, just like you’d anybody else
- Refusing to characterize people by their diagnoses or using terms such as “mad,” instead employ person-first language
Myth: Prevention will not work. It is challenging to avoid mental diseases.
Fact: Prevention of mental, emotional, and behavioral problems relies on addressing established risk factors such as exposure to trauma. It may impact the likelihood that children, teens, and young people will acquire mental health disorders.
Supporting the social-emotional health of children and teens leads to:
- Higher overall productivity
- Better educational results
- Lower crime rates
- Stronger economies
- Lower health care expenses
- Improved quality of life
- Increased longevity
- Improved family life
We must avoid cultural norms from portraying someone as aggressive or “crazy” for having a medical condition beyond their control. Let’s transform the world together one step at a time.