The mental health stigma makes it hard to talk about mental issues or distinguish between fact and fiction when it comes to mental health diagnoses. In this blog, we will break down some common myths and share some mental health facts to help you better support loved ones or understand your own mental health.
Fact: Mental Health Problems Are Very Common
The first thing to address is that mental illness is very common worldwide. One in five American adults experience a mental health issue. One in six young people experience a major depressive episode. Suicide is also the leading cause of death in the United States and the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-24.
Taking care of your mental health can help limit the symptoms and debilitating moments that you experience. Taking breaks, seeking therapy, and getting on medication are helpful when it is best for you. Doing self-care practices can help you avoid burnout or depressive episodes.
Myth: Children Don’t Experience Mental Health Problems
Because of this myth, only about half of children or adolescents with mental health problems receive the treatment that they need. Children can show signs of mental illness at an early age, in fact, half of mental health disorders show the first signs before 14 years old. Early intervention can help limit developmental problems that children and adolescents can experience due to mental illness.
Fact: Those With Mental Health Diagnoses Are Productive Workers
Anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar, and other illnesses often do not prevent people from succeeding at their jobs. It may be hard for those with mental illness to work in a high-stress environment, but employers have reported those that they hire have high productivity, high punctuality, and great job tenure. Knowing mental health facts is important for employers because this will help them hire skilled workers despite what mental illness they may experience.
Myth: Therapy And Self-Help Are A Waste Of Time
Just because you can take a pill to help improve your mental health symptoms, therapy, and self-help can help you learn coping skills, calming techniques, and recovery techniques. Those who receive counseling see improvements in their quality of life and avoid hearing damaging myths about mental health.
Fact: Friends And Family Can Help Support Those With Mental Illness
While your friends and family are not licensed to give you a diagnosis or prescribe medications, they can offer emotional support for those who struggle. Friends and family can help distract you, talk you down from a stressful situation, and help you avoid toxic choices.
Myth: Mental Health Diagnoses Are Signs Of Weakness
Mental health struggles do not make you less than or weaker than other people. This is part of the stigma that surrounds mental health, especially for men who show more emotion. Mental health facts may even state that those who struggle with mental illness on top of other life trials are stronger.
Talking about your emotions, working through your struggles, or experiencing anxiety does not make you weak. Those with mental health issues are not weaker than others as they still have to accomplish daily tasks while dealing with extreme depression or trauma.
Fact: Mental Health Can Affect Everyone, Even Those Who Seem To Have It All
Mental health can affect any type of person. It can affect people of all ages, those who are successful, those who are in poverty, those of any sexual orientation, any occupation, etc. Dealing with a mental health diagnosis is difficult no matter who you are, but even if you seem to have your life together on the outside, you can be lonely, depressed, or suicidal on the inside.
Myth: Bad Parenting Is The Cause Of Mental Health Issues In Adolescents Or Children
There are multiple factors that contribute to mental health including socioeconomic status, genetics, violence, and support. ‘Bad parenting’ is not the sole cause of difficulties in adolescents or children. Their living situation and the care they receive can help improve their mental health symptoms or impact the resilience of children.
Supportive and understanding family members can play a large role in getting children to help when they need it and feeling like they have a support system. Neglectful parenting is not directly linked to developing mental illness but can impact its severity.
Help For Mental Illnesses With Ogden Psychological Services
Our therapists and counselors want to help patients deal with their mental illness in a healthy way and dispel myths surrounding mental health. Our team wants to hear your specific goals and use treatment methods that are necessary to reach them. We offer different therapy types to best fit your needs or improve your relationships with others. Contact us with any questions and we would be happy to assist you.
