Dispelling The Myths

Challenging Stigma: Myths Vs Facts

Myth: Mental Illness is not a real illness.

Fact: Mental illness is just as real as a physical illness. Our mental health and our physical health are both important to our wellbeing, just because you can't see a mental illness, it doesn't mean that it does not exist. Mental illness causes great distress and is more than just the ups and down's of life. Mental illness is a real health problem with effective treatments.

Myth: Mental illness will not affect me.

Fact: The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports approximately 450 million people worldwide have experienced mental illness. Mental illness is more common than many people realise, you may not experience a mental illness yourself, but it’s very likely that a family member, friend, or colleague will experience mental health illness.

Myth: Children do not suffer from mental illness

Fact: Children can suffer from mental illness. Mental health problems are said to affect about one in ten children and young people. 

Myth: People who have a mental illness are violent and dangerous.

Fact: The vast majority of people with mental illness are no more likely to be violent than anyone else. Most people with mental illness are not violent and only 3%-5% of violent acts are carried out by people who live with a serious mental illness. Individuals who have a mental illness are more likely to harm themselves and are over 10 times more likely to be victims of violent crime and abuse than the general population. 

Myth: People who self-harm are doing it for attention.

Fact: More often than not people who self harm do so in private and try and hide it through shame, embarrassment, stigma or fear. 

Myth: Suffering with Depression means I am weak minded and I should be able to snap out of it.

Fact: Depression can affect anyone, it has nothing to do with being weak minded. Depression does not discriminate and can affect people who are viewed to be "strong". Depression is a real illness which needs to be treated with as much respect, empathy and understanding as a physical illness. 

Myth: People who have Schizophrenia have multiple personalities.

Fact: People who are affected by Schizophrenia have one personality, just like everyone else.

Myth: People who have a mental illness never get better.
Fact: With the right education, knowledge, treatment and care it is possible to feel better and to step into recovery and lead a happy productive life.

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