Mental Health Myths and Facts
Here in this post, we provide “Mental health myths and facts”. You can discuss your concerns about mental health in our community, and we will provide you with tips and solutions in a short time. Keep visiting Mental Health.
Myths and Facts
Mental Health Problems Affect Everyone. Following are the myths and realities regarding mental health:
Myth: Mental health problems don’t influence me.
Fact: Mental health problems are actually fairly common. In 2020, about:
- One in five American individuals encountered a mental health issue
- One in 6 young persons experienced a serious depressive episode
- One in 20 Americans lived with a significant mental disease, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or profound depression
Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States. In fact, it was the 2nd greatest cause of death for those ages 10-24. It accounted for the death of more than 45,979 American lives in 2020, about double the number of lives lost to homicide.
Myth: Children don’t face mental health concerns.
Fact: Even very young toddlers may show early warning signals of mental health difficulties. These mental health problems are often clinically diagnosable and might be a product of the interaction of biological, psychological, and social variables.
Half of all mental health illnesses show initial indicators before a person becomes 14 years old, and three-quarters of mental health disorders begin before age 24.
Unfortunately, barely half of children and adolescents with diagnosable mental health disorders receive the treatment they require. Early mental health support can help a kid before difficulties interfere with other developmental needs.
Myth: People with mental health disorders are violent and unpredictable.
Fact: The vast majority of persons with mental health difficulties are no more likely to be violent than anyone else. Most people with mental illness are not violent and approximately 3 percent –5 percent of violent acts may be linked to individuals living with a major mental disorder. In fact, those with serious 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 recognize it, because many people with mental health problems are very engaged and effective members of our communities.
Myth: People with mental health issues, even those who are managing their mental illness, cannot endure the stress of keeping down a job.
Fact: Employees with mental health issues are no less capable than their peers. Good attendance and punctuality as well as motivation, good performance, and long-term employment are reported by employers who recruit people with mental health issues.
Effective therapy for employees with mental health issues can have a number of benefits, including:
- Lessening of overall medical expenses
- a greater output
- Reduced absences
- Decreases in the cost of disability
Myth: Personality weakness or character flaws cause mental health problems. If they work hard enough, people with mental health issues can overcome their demons.
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:
- Genetics, physical sickness or damage, or changes in brain chemistry are all examples of biological influences.
- Trauma or a history of abuse are examples of life events.
- Family history of mental health problems
- There is hope for those who suffer from mental health issues, and many of them recover fully.
- 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: People with mental health issues can improve, with many even fully recovering. Recovery refers to the process in which people are able to live, work, learn, and participate fully in their communities. Treatments, services, and social support systems are more widespread and effective than ever before.
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: I can’t do anything for a person with a mental health problem.
Fact: Friends and loved ones can make a big difference. In 2020, only 20% of adults received any mental health treatment in the past year, which included 10% who received counseling or therapy from a professional. 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”, instead use person-first language
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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