Mental Illness: Debunking Myths

There exists an attitude within society that mental illnesses are scary or uncomfortable; in turn, this contributes to and develops stigma surrounding those who struggle with disorders of mental health¹. As a result, individuals who struggle with their mental health may face discrimination and unfair behaviour due to these preconceived notions that people hold. Such misconceptions are often the result of misunderstanding and misinformation². This often happens on a large-scale, such as when the media depicts inaccurate stereotypes, or correlates mental illness to dangerous behaviours such as violence or criminality². 

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Some common examples of mental illness myths include the following: 

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Myth 1: Mental illnesses aren’t real illnesses.

Fact: Mental illnesses go beyond the normal ebbs and flows of life, create distress, and may not resolve on their own; they are real health concerns that can be targeted with evidence-based treatments. We would not expect an fractured leg to magically heal on its own. Likely, a cast would be required to help heal the break. Similarly, mental illnesses require interventions to work towards healing the problem. Just as we would not fault someone for seeking medical care to treat a physical illness, mental illnesses should be viewed as real illnesses which require care³. 

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Myth 2: It’s obvious when someone has mental illness.

Fact: Mental illnesses are often invisible. Some people are good at masking their mental illnesses, due to the societal stigma and sometimes self-stigma that is often associated with mental illnesses³. 

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‍Myth 3: People don’t recover from mental illnesses.
Fact: There are many evidence-based treatments available to support diverse mental health needs. Even in longer-lasting mental illnesses, people can learn techniques to cope and effectively manage their symptoms. Speaking with a mental health professional and collaborating on goals in treatment can provide effective avenues to navigate mental health challenges you may be dealing with⁴. 

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It takes concerted effort to debunk such harmful myths. Stigma goes beyond the individual: discriminatory beliefs and behaviour towards individuals who suffer can lead to poorer mental health treatment outcomes, exclusion, and overall quality of life¹. It is important to become educated on mental illness and recognize harmful perceptions regarding mental health. You can start by being mindful of how you speak and avoiding insensitive words which reduce individuals to their condition; as well as reflecting on your own attitude towards people with mental health conditions².