Over past few years we’ve made significant progress in getting conversations about Mental Health out in the open.
However, we still have a long way to go. Here are 5 common mental health myths that still manage to creep into our conversations, beliefs and thought processes.
Myth 1: Mental Health is Important Only If You Have a Mental Illness
When it comes to physical health we’ve more or less understood the importance of regular exercise, eating right and taking care of ourselves. But most of us fail to extend this same level of love and care that we show our bodies, to our minds.
The effects of stressful situations and the toll it takes on our mental health is less tangible than a pain in the ankle or a sprained neck and so, naturally, it’s harder to tell when something is wrong. Which is why it is important to pay close attention and learn to listen to our minds. Developing a mental health routine that works for you and taking the time out to practice self-care techniques like mindfulness, breathing and journaling, is a great way to maintain and improve Mental Wellbeing. Just like with physical illnesses, for Mental Health too – prevention is better than cure.
Myth 2: Only Rich People Can Afford To Have Mental Health Problems
A common misconception is that depression and other mental health problems are something that only wealthy people suffer from. This stems from the belief that paying attention to mental health is a luxury, and that mental illnesses are something you can push the pause button on when you have other, more pressing priorities.
Like most other factors in your life, your lifestyle, financial condition (and how you perceive it) definitely does contribute to your Mental Health – but Mental Illness does not discriminate on the basis of your bank balance.
Another reason this myth is perpetuated is because of the depictions of therapy and mental health problems in pop-culture.
Myth 3: Mental Health Problems Can Be Cured By Discipline and Will-Power
Although our society is slowly moving to a place where there is increased awareness about Mental Health problems, the belief that you can “just get over it” or “just calm down” is deeply ingrained in us. It is common for well-meaning people to dismiss the mental health issues of their peers in an attempt to get them to feel better. This instills a sense of guilt and shame into the person suffering from the illness which in turn can make them bottle it up further and be reluctant to seek help.
Myth 4: All Mental Health Problems Are Caused By Stress
It is a common notion that exam stress, relationship stress and occupational stress are the reasons for mental health problems.
The truth is, mental illnesses are complicated conditions that do not have a single cause. There are a number of other factors such as genetics, biological conditions, environmental factors and psycho-somatic conditions. Stress can increase the intensity of the problem but it is inaccurate to imply that it is the sole cause, and that the elimination of stress can put an end to Mental Illnesses.
Myth 5: Children Cannot Experience Mental Illnesses: These Are Problems That Come With Age
There are a number of misconceptions when it comes to Children and Mental Health. That they cannot get mental health problems at a young age. That doctors these days have an agenda to over-analyze and over-medicate children, that children will grow out of these problems. The truth is, mental health does affect children and it is important to help them understand and not be ashamed of these problems so that we, as a society can help them get the care they deserve.
When it comes to mental health, the list of myths could go on into the hundreds. Most of these misconceptions and beliefs are deep-rooted and systemic. However, awareness of these beliefs is the first of many small steps we can take to make a change and move to a place where we, as a society are more compassionate to each other.