Myths and Facts
Mental Health Problems Affect Everyone[mentalhealth.gov]
Myth: Personality weakness or
character flaws cause mental health problems. People with mental health
problems can snap out of it if they try hard enough.
Fact: Mental health problems have
nothing to do with being lazy or weak and many people need help to get better.
Many factors contribute to mental health problems, including:
- Biological factors, such as genes, physical illness, injury, or brain chemistry
- Life experiences, such as trauma or a history of abuse
- Family history of mental health problems
People with mental health
problems can get better and many recover completely.
Helping Individuals with Mental Health Problems
Myth: There is no hope for people
with mental health problems. Once a friend or family member
develops mental
health problems, he or she will never recover.
Fact: Studies show that people with
mental health problems get better and many recover completely. Recovery refers
to the process in which people are able to live, work, learn, and participate
fully in their communities. There are more treatments, services, and community
support systems than ever before, and they work.
Myth: I can't do anything for a person with a mental
health problem.
Fact: Friends and loved ones can make a big difference.
Only 38% of adults with diagnosable mental health problems and less than 20% 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"
Myth:
Therapy and self-help are a waste of time. Why bother when you can just take a
pill?
Fact:
Treatment for mental health problems varies depending on the individual and
could include medication, therapy, or both. Many individuals work with a support system during the healing and recovery
process.
Myth:
Mental health problems don't affect me.
Fact:
Mental health problems are actually very common. In 2011, about:
- One in five American adults experienced a mental health issue
- One in 10 young people experienced a period of major depression
- One in 20 Americans lived with a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression
Suicide
is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. It accounts for the
loss of more than 38,000 American lives each year, more than double the number
of lives lost to homicide. Learn more about mental health problems.
Myth:
Children don't experience mental health problems.
Fact:
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% 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 problems are violent and unpredictable.
Fact: 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% 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 health needs, even those who are managing their mental
illness, cannot tolerate the stress of holding down a job.
Fact: People
with mental health problems are just as productive as other employees.
Employers who hire people with mental health problems report good attendance
and punctuality as well as motivation, good work, and job tenure on par with or
greater than other employees.
When
employees with mental health problems receive effective treatment, it can
result in:
·
Lower
total medical costs
·
Increased
productivity
·
Lower
absenteeism
·
Decreased
disability costs
Myth:
Prevention doesn’t work. It is impossible to prevent mental illnesses.
Fact:
Prevention of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders focuses on addressing
known risk factors such as exposure to trauma that can affect the chances that
children, youth, and young adults will develop mental health problems.
Promoting the social-emotional well-being of children and youth leads to:
- Higher overall productivity
- Better educational outcomes
- Lower crime rates
- Stronger economies
- Lower health care costs
- Improved quality of life
- Increased lifespan
- Improved family life
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