How many of these myths about mental illness do YOU believe? Let’s bust some myths …

The American public — and that includes the church — is woefully ignorant when it comes to understanding the truth about mental illness and mental health issues.

Because of our ignorance, we usually choose NOT to educate ourselves, but instead to ignore a massive and serious issue, and stigmatize people diagnosed with a mental illness.

We can and must do better!

So let’s take a moment right now to bust some myths about mental illness and mental health issues so we can better understand what the truth is:

MYTH: Having a mental illness means you are “crazy.”
Having a mental illness does not mean you are “crazy.” It means you have an illness with challenging symptoms — the same as someone with an illness like diabetes. While mental illness might alter your thinking, destabilize your moods, or skew your perception of reality, that doesn’t mean you are “crazy.” It means you are susceptible to illness, the same as any other person.

MYTH: Mental illness is the same as mental retardation.
A mental retardation diagnosis is characterized by limitations in intellectual functioning and difficulties with certain daily living skills. In contrast, people with mental illnesses — health conditions that cause changes in a person’s thinking, mood, and behavior — have varied intellectual functioning, just like the general population.

MYTH: Mental illnesses are not real illnesses.
Just as all of us have “physical health,” we all also have “mental health,” which then means that any of us can become “mentally ill” just as any of us can become “physically ill.” And just as physical health is a spectrum — we can “catch a cold” and recover quickly, or suffer life-threatening disease — mental health is also a spectrum — we can have periods or habits of irrational thinking, or suffer from dementia or schizophrenia.

MYTH: Mental health issues are uncommon.
The organization, Mental Health America, states boldly: “Mental Illnesses are brain-based conditions that affect thinking, emotions, and behaviors. Since we all have brains, having some kind of mental health problem during your life is really common.” The prevalence of mental illness has become so great it can no longer be ignored. According to data reported by the National Alliance on Mental Illness:

• • 19.1% of U.S. adults experienced mental illness in 2018 (47.6 million people). This represents 1 in 5 adults.
  • 4.6% of U.S. adults experienced serious mental illness in 2018 (11.4 million people). This represents 1 in 25 adults.
  • 3.7% of U.S. adults experienced a co-occurring substance use disorder and mental illness in 2018 (9.2 million people).

Mental illness can affect anyone, including all ages, races, income levels and religions. These common conditions are medical, and can cause changes in how people think and feel.

MYTH: Psychiatric medications are bad.
Not everyone diagnosed with a mental illness needs to take medication, but many do. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reports:

“People tend to believe that psychiatric medicine is harmful. That, or they believe that psych meds are simply “happy pills” and “an easy way out” for those with mental illness to avoid dealing with their problems. Again, this is simply not true. Just like any other detrimental medical condition, mental illness is still an illness. For many with mental illness, medication is necessary, just like it would be for a diabetic taking insulin. For some individuals with mental illness, medication is needed for survival. For others, like those who have mild to moderate depression, anxiety, or ADHD, medication can help ease symptoms, so they can function normally. And having regular therapy combined with medication can greatly improve one’s quality of life.”

MYTH: Mental health issues are caused by personal weakness.
Mental health problems have nothing to do with some kind of “personal weakness” or being lazy or weak, and many people need help to get better. Multiple factors can contribute to mental health problems, including:

• • Trauma. Sometimes traumatic events can play a role in triggering a mental illness.
  • Chemical imbalance. Chemical or biochemical changes in the brain can be factors.
  • Genetics. Some mental illnesses get passed along from one generation to the next.
  • Environment. Exposure to toxins, illnesses, drugs, or alcohol can affect the developing brain in utero.

MYTH: Children don’t experience mental health issues.
This, sadly, is not true. In fact, 16.5% of U.S. youth aged 6-17 experienced a mental health disorder in 2016 (7.7 million people). MentalHealth.gov reports the following:

“Even very young children may show early warning signs of mental health concerns. These mental health problems are often clinically diagnosable and can be a product of the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors. Half of all mental health disorders show first signs before a person turns 14 years old, and three quarters of mental health disorders begin before age 24. Unfortunately, less than 20 percent of children and adolescents with diagnosable mental health problems receive the treatment they need. Early mental health support can help a child before problems interfere with other developmental needs.”

MYTH: People with mental health issues are violent and unreliable.
Hollywood and the media routinely portray people with mental illness as being violent and out-of-control. But that is not the reality. MentalHealth.gov reports the real data:

“The vast majority of people with mental health problems are no more likely to be violent than anyone else. Most people with mental illness are not violent and only 3–5 percent of violent acts can be attributed to individuals living with a serious mental illness. In fact, people with severe mental illnesses are over 10 times more likely to be victims of violent crime than the general population. You probably know someone with a mental health problem and don’t even realize it, because many people with mental health problems are highly active and productive members of our communities.”

MYTH: People with mental illness cannot function adequately in society.
Stressful situations can be difficult for all people, not just those who live with mental illness. People with mental health conditions have jobs, go to school, and are active members of their communities. Employers who have hired people with mental illnesses report good attendance and punctuality, as well as motivation, quality of work, and job tenure on par with or greater than other employees. Studies by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) show that there are no differences in productivity when people with mental illnesses are compared to other employees.

MYTH: Mental health issues can’t be prevented.
You can’t always prevent getting mental health problems. But you can address risk factors you or your loved one may have:

• • Try to minimize exposure to trauma. If you or a loved one experiences a traumatic event, get help if needed. Early treatment can prevent worse problems in the future.
  • Reduce stress. Having a very stressful job or home life can reduce the quality of your mental health.
  • Develop a positive environment to live in. Avoid constantly negative people. Surround yourself with healthy people with a good outlook on life.
  • Establish healthy habits. Eat a healthy diet, exercise, and get plenty of sleep. These basic self-care methods can go a long way in how you feel about yourself and how you function.

MYTH: You can never get better from a mental illness.
The good news is that there is loads of research showing this is absolutely not true! Most mental illnesses can be treated effectively with medication, therapy, diet, exercise, and support. Recovery is possible! The National Alliance on Mental Illness reports:

“Mental health issues are not always lifelong disorders. For example, some depression and anxiety disorders only require a person to take medication for a short period of time. Innovations in medicine and therapy have made recovery a reality for people living with a mental health issue, even chronic conditions. While all symptoms may not be alleviated easily or at all, with the right recovery plan, people can live the productive and healthy lives they’ve always imagined.”

MYTH: People with mental illness are fragile and can’t handle stress.
This is a myth stemming from ignorance and stigma. The Canadian Mental Health Association challenges such a negative stereotype:

“Stress impacts well-being, but this is true for everyone. People who experience mental illnesses may actually be better at managing stress than people who haven’t experienced mental illnesses. Many people who experience mental illnesses learn skills like stress management and problem-solving so they can take care of stress before it affects their well-being. Taking care of yourself and asking for help when you need it are signs of strength, not weakness.”

MYTH: People who are successful in their careers and dress and present themselves well can’t have a mental illness.
MultiCare Behavioral Health directly challenges this faulty assertion:

“Mental illness is often something you do not see, regardless of where someone lives or how much money they have. It is certain that the people you meet every day are coping with mental health issues completely unknown to you.”

In fact, many people are stunned to learn about their favorite movie or music stars, business tycoons, or other celebrities suffer from depression, bipolar disorder, or other mental illnesses.

MYTH: People who have a mental illness are always ill and out-of-touch with reality.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness states that research proves this idea to be a myth: “Most people suffering from even the most severe of mental illnesses are in touch with reality more often than they are not. Many people quietly bear the symptoms of mental illness without ever showing signs of their illness to others, and most people with mental illness live productive, active lives.”

MYTH: Most people with a mental illness live on the streets or are in mental hospitals.
This is a terrible myth, and it’s sad to think anyone today could believe this to be true in general about people who suffer from mental illness. The National Alliance on Mental Illness reports:

“Over two-thirds of Americans who have a mental illness live in the community and lead productive lives. Most people who need hospitalization are only there for brief periods to get treatment and are then able to return home, just like persons hospitalized for other conditions. Some people with mental illness do become homeless and could benefit from treatment and services.”

MYTH: There’s nothing I can do to help someone with a mental illness.
Please know there are multiple things YOU can do to help people who are diagnosed with mental illness. MentalHealth.gov suggests the following:

“Friends and loved ones can make a big difference. Only 44 percent of adults with diagnosable mental health problems and less than 20 percent of children and adolescents receive needed treatment. Friends and family can be important influences to help someone get the treatment and services they need by:

• • Reaching out and letting them know you are available to help.
  • Helping them access mental health services.
  • Learning and sharing the facts about mental health, especially if you hear something that isn’t true.
  • Treating them with respect, just as you would anyone else.
  • Refusing to define them by their diagnosis or using labels such as “crazy.”

Most people who need clinical help don’t get the help they need because they can’t afford it. You can help change that by making a donation to Scott Free Clinic, or becoming a regular Care Partner with us, to help us continue to remove the barriers of cost and access so people can get the help they need. To make a donation, or learn more about our ministry, click here.

Scotty