Violence
People with Mental Health Conditions are violent. Myth or Fact?
Myth.
Most people with mental health conditions are no more likely to be violent than anyone else.
Only 3%–5% of violent acts can be attributed to individuals living with a serious mental illness.
One in 20 Americans have lived with a serious mental illness. Myth or Fact?
Fact.
This is a proven fact according to https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/what-is-mental-health/facts
Adolescents who get good grades and have a lot of friends will not have mental health conditions because they have nothing to be depressed about. Myth or Fact?
Myth.
Fact: Depression is a common mental health condition resulting from a complex interaction of social, psychological, and biological factors. Depression can affect anyone regardless of their socioeconomic status or how good their life appears at face value. Young people doing well in school may feel pressure to succeed, which can cause anxiety, or they may have challenges at home. They may also experience depression or anxiety for no reason that can be easily identified.
Mental Illness is black and white. Myth or Fact?
Myth.
Fact: Mental health is a continuum and people may fall anywhere on the spectrum. Even if you are doing well, there's a good chance you aren't 100% mentally healthy. In fact, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates only about 17% of adults are in a state of "optimal" mental health.
Therapy is only for people with serious mental illnesses. Myth or Fact?
Myth.
Fact: Therapy can be beneficial for anyone, not just those with mental illness. While therapy is an essential tool for treating conditions such as depression and anxiety, many people find that it is also useful for navigating the daily stressors of life, including work and relationships.
The stigma associated with Mental illness is called sanism. Myth or Fact?
Fact.
This fact is supported by https://www.nami.org/blog/six-myths-and-facts-about-mental-illness/
Mental health problems are purely biological or genetic in nature. Myth or Fact?
Myth.
Top 10 Myths About Mental Health
By John M. Grohol, Psy.D.
After years of working online with thousands of people writing to us, we have gathered together what we consider to the top ten most common myths about mental health problems. Feel free to print this page out and give it to a friend, family member, or even a health or mental health practitioner. We feel that by getting the word out about these myths, we might help reduce the misunderstandings about mental disorders which seem to be so prevalent in our society today.
1. Mental health problems are uncommon.
In fact, nearly 1 out of every 5 Americans will have a diagnosable mental disorder within their lifetimes, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
2. Mental health problems are caused by the person suffering from them.
While people do need to take responsibility for their own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors associated with disorders, they are not to blame for them. There is an important difference between taking responsibility and accepting blame, but unfortunately, many people confuse these two things.
3. Mental health problems are purely biological or genetic in nature.
Some professionals and mental health advocacy organizations feel that mistruths like this one will better forward their professional biases or political agendas, yet this remains a myth. Mental health problems are not caused by solely bad genes or a biological chemical imbalance, according to the research we have to date. Any health care professional, doctor, or mental health advocate who claims otherwise is telling you a half-truth to forward their own, unspoken agendas.
People can't be born with Mental health illnesses. Myth or Fact?
Fact.
A vulnerability to some mental illnesses, such as bipolar mood disorder, can run in families. But other people develop mental illness with no family history.
Many factors contribute to the onset of a mental illness. These may include stress, bereavement, relationship breakdown, unemployment, social isolation, a major physical illness
Gender matters when it comes to mental health issues. Myth or Fact?
Fact.
Women make up nearly 70% of the global health workforce. Women health workers reported higher rates of mental health issues after Covid because of its stressors. https://www.projecthope.org/news-stories/story/5-facts-correcting-mental-health-myths/
It is impossible to prevent a mental health condition. Myth or Fact?
Myth.
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 conditions.
Mental illnesses are just an excuse for poor behavior. Myth or Fact?
Myth.
Fact: Its true that some people who experience mental illnesses may act in ways that are unexpected or seem strange to others. We need to remember that the illness, not the person, is behind these behaviours. No one chooses to experience a mental illness. People who experience a change in their behaviour due to a mental illness may feel extremely embarrassed or ashamed around others. Its also true that people with a history of a mental illness are like anyone else: they may make poor choices or do something unexpected for reasons unrelated to symptoms of their illness. Fact supported by https://ontario.cmha.ca/documents/myths-about-mental-illness/
Mental health conditions are more likely to occur in childhood. Myth or Fact?
Fact.
Around half of all cases of mental illness begin by 14, and 3/4 develop before 25. This fact is supported by https://www.projecthope.org/news-stories/story/5-facts-correcting-mental-health-myths/
Anxiety and Depression are just phases. Myth or Fact?
Myth.
Facts: Conditions like generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), major depressive disorder, and panic disorder are not phases that people can just “snap out of.” They require mental health treatment, which may include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), medication management, and lifestyle changes. Fact supported by https://genpsych.com/mental-health-myths-you-need-to-stop-believing-in-2025/
Mental health issues will go away on their own. Myth or Fact?
Myth.
Fact: Ignoring mental health issues or hoping they’ll go away on their own can make things worse. Early intervention and treatment are crucial for managing mental health conditions effectively. Seeking help from a mental health professional can provide the support and resources needed for recovery.
You still need professional help even if you have a strong support system. Myth or Fact?
Fact.
Fact: While having supportive friends and family is beneficial, it’s not a substitute for professional mental health care. A psychiatrist, psychologist, or licensed therapist can provide evidence-based treatment, ensuring that you get the right care for your needs. Fact supported by https://genpsych.com/mental-health-myths-you-need-to-stop-believing-in-2025/
Positive mental health can be measured. Myth or Fact?
Fact.
It can be measured; population health surveys show us that in Canada:
Some people are immune to mental illness. Myth or Fact.
Myth.
No one is immune to mental illness, but risk and protective factors can play a big role.
Mental health and behavioral health are the same thing. Myth or Fact.
Myth.
Fact: Mental health and behavioral health are related but involve distinct aspects of well-being. Mental health focuses on one’s emotional, psychological and cognitive state, encompassing conditions like depression, anxiety and schizophrenia. Behavioral health considers how an individual’s lifestyle, cognitive state and coping mechanisms can impact their overall health and can include conditions such as substance use disorder and autism.
Seeking mental healthcare shouldn’t put someone’s job at risk, and legal protections may apply. Myth or Fact?
Fact.
In many regions, including the U.S., laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities, including mental health conditions. Fact supported by https://www.springhealth.com/blog/10-facts-about-mental-health#fact-2-mental-health-benefits-can-deliver-measurable-roi
Mental illnesses aren't caused by bad parenting. Myth or Fact?
Fact.
Mental disorders can arise from various causes, including genetics, trauma, chemical imbalances, or life circumstances. Parents generally do their best for their children. Mental health problems can happen for lots of reasons. It is not anyone’s fault. Fact supported by https://www.visionpsychology.com/10-myths-and-facts-about-mental-health/
Postnatal depression is a common mental health illness that happens to women after giving childbirth. Myth or Fact?
Fact.
About 85% of new mothers go through a brief period of feeling emotional and tearful – known as the 'baby blues’. This is so common it’s considered normal.
About 10-15% of new mothers develop a much deeper and longer-term depression known as postnatal depression. There are treatments that can help – it can take time to recover from it, so it is best treated as early as possible. Fact supported by https://www.theburydirectory.co.uk/health-and-wellbeing/the-myths-about-mental-health
People with Mental health issues have lower IQ. Myth or Fact?
Myth.
FACT: There is no connection between IQ and mental illness.
Everyone gets depressed as they grow older, it's just part of the aging process. Myth or Fact?
Myth.
Depression is never an inevitable part of aging. Older adults may have a greater risk of depression because they experience so many changes in roles and social networks. If an older adult experiences depression, they need the same support as anyone else. Fact supported by https://ontario.cmha.ca/documents/myths-about-mental-illness/
Most people, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, do not consider mental health to be an important issue. Myth or Fact.
Myth.
Fact: A global average of 2% of health budgets goes to mental health. In low- and middle-income Countries, two thirds of this goes to psychiatric hospitals that typically do little more than warehouse the mentally ill. Fact supported by https://publichealth.jhu.edu/sites/default/files/2024-08/mentalhealthmythsandfactsfinal.pdf
Treating mental illness is solely focused on reducing symptoms. Myth or Fact?
Myth.
Fact: Boiling down a person’s experience to a set of symptoms that fall within a diagnostic category, with the goal of reducing the severity of the problem, is less than ideal. At best it offers temporary relief without addressing the underlying causes, can lead to overreliance on medication, inadvertently increases stigma surrounding mental illness, and primarily assumes a reactive stance rather than one that is preventive and proactive. In essence, it neglects the holistic nature of a person’s health and well-being. Fact supported by https://www.pew.org/en/trend/archive/fall-2023/five-myths-about-mental-health