Myths and Facts

Mental illness is rare.

It is very common. Roughly one in eight people worldwide live with a mental health condition, and many more struggle at some point in life.

Mental illness is a personal weakness.

These are health conditions with biological, psychological, and social causes. Willpower does not switch them off.

People with mental illness are dangerous.

Most are not violent. They are far more likely to be victims of violence or to harm themselves than to harm others.

Mental illness cannot be treated.

Many conditions respond well to treatment. Most people who get appropriate help improve, and many recover fully.

Once you have a mental illness, you will always be unwell.

Recovery is the usual path. Many people live full lives, with or without ongoing treatment.

Mental illness only affects certain kinds of people.

It affects people of every age, income, culture, gender, and background.

Bad parenting alone causes mental illness.

Family life matters, but conditions arise from many causes, including genes, brain development, stress, trauma, and life events.

Therapy is only for people with serious problems.

Therapy helps with everyday stress, relationships, grief, and personal growth as well as with illness.

Therapy is just talking, so it cannot really work.

Structured therapies such as CBT are backed by strong research and teach practical skills.

Psychiatric medicines change who you are.

Well-chosen medicines relieve symptoms so that you can feel more like yourself.

Medicines are a crutch.

Medicine is a treatment like any other. People take medicine for diabetes or asthma without shame.

If medicine does not work right away, it never will.

Many medicines take weeks to work, and finding the right one can take trial and adjustment.

You can stop your medicine as soon as you feel better.

Stopping suddenly can bring back symptoms or cause withdrawal-like effects. Always plan changes with your prescriber.

Seeing a therapist means I have failed.

Seeking help shows courage and good judgement.

Happy people never feel sad or anxious.

Emotional health includes the whole range of feelings. Resilience is the ability to move through hard emotions.

Positive thinking cures everything.

Optimism helps, but forcing positivity can hide real problems. Honest, balanced thinking works better.

Talking about suicide makes it more likely.

Asking calmly and directly can bring relief and open the door to help.

Children and teenagers are too young to have mental health problems.

Many conditions begin in childhood or the teen years. Early support makes a big difference.

Older people are naturally sad and forgetful.

Depression and dementia are not normal parts of ageing and should be assessed and treated.

Men do not get depression, or they just handle it differently.

Men experience depression and anxiety too, though they may show it as irritability, anger, or overwork and are less likely to ask for help.

You can tell from the outside who is struggling.

Many people hide their pain well. A smile does not prove all is well.

Self-care is selfish.

Looking after yourself gives you the strength to care for others.

“He is schizophrenic.”

“He lives with schizophrenia.”

“She is crazy.”

“She is going through a very hard time.”

“I’m so OCD about my desk.”

“I like my desk very tidy.”

“He committed suicide.”

“He died by suicide.”

“Addict” or “junkie”

“A person with a substance use problem”

“Mentally ill people”

“People with mental health conditions”

“Just get over it.”

“That sounds really hard. I’m here for you.”