Most Common Myths Surrounding Mental Health: Experts Dispel Misconceptions

How many times have you tried to open up about your mental illness, only to be told to “just get over it?” After hearing it so often, maybe you’ve decided to withdraw into yourself and suffer in silence. Or maybe you’re beating yourself up because you can’t “get better,” no matter what you do. But there's no need ever to be ashamed of your issues; a lot of people have misconceptions about mental illnesses, and you shouldn’t let that dissuade you from getting the help that you need. In fact, Mission Connection and other mental health experts are happy to help dismantle the myths surrounding mental health. Read further to discover some of the most common misconceptions and the truth behind them.

The State of Mental Health in America

According to estimates from the National Institute of Health, one in five adults lives with a mental illness, while approximately 15.4 million individuals suffer from a serious mental health condition in the U.S. 

While awareness of mental disorders is growing, stigma still surrounds these conditions, leaving many individuals feeling ashamed of their issues and reluctant to seek professional care. However, mental health experts say that much of this stigma is caused by misconceptions with no scientific basis and, in severe cases, can lead to issues such as employment discrimination and social exclusion. 

With statistics like these, even if you don’t struggle with mental health issues yourself, you likely know someone who does. But educating yourself is one way to break the stigma.

Demystifying Mental Illnesses

Of the many myths surrounding mental illnesses, the most common beliefs are that it is easy to tell when someone has a mental illness, an individual can recover from their disorder if they make more effort to overcome it, and those with mental disorders are simply seeking attention. Naturally, these ideas are blatantly untrue, as many mentally ill individuals isolate themselves out of fear of judgment and struggle in silence. 

Additionally, mental illnesses are considered clinical diseases, and patients with any disorder are unlikely to be able to recover without professional healthcare. You wouldn’t tell someone with asthma to just “get over” it, right? Things like depression and anxiety are no different.

The guide also notes that mental illnesses can occur in adolescents and young adults, and they can be caused by factors other than home environment, including genetics and brain chemistry - disproving prevailing myths that mental health conditions do not affect young people and only result from poor parenting. 

Moreover, Mission Connection stresses that mentally ill individuals are not lazy, incompetent, or unstable, as many are able to lead productive lives without causing harm to others. So if you’ve been beating yourself up for falling behind, don’t. It’s like trying to run a marathon with a broken leg—you’re basically going through your life with a handicap, so it’s understandable that you’d be struggling.

Getting the Care That You Need

Most people would expect you to get immediate treatment for a broken leg. Mental disorders should be no different. That’s why mental health professionals encourage anyone with a mental health condition to seek care from a licensed mental health professional. Contrary to misconceptions that mental illnesses are untreatable, many cases have demonstrated that evidence-based therapies can successfully treat existing disorders and prevent new ones from arising, allowing patients to significantly improve their quality of life.

And luckily, there are more mental health resources than ever. Mission Connection is one of them, and if you’re seeking help or just want more information, you can use their support line to connect with someone who can provide you with what you need.