People with mental health problems are still people. Yes, that’s a weird and slightly off-beat statement but with the amount of misinformation and stigma that surrounds mental health there are a lot of myths that people are stereotyped with if anyone finds out that they’re “not okay.”
Let’s debunk some myths!
Myth 1:
People with mental illness are unable to work.
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.
Myth 2:
Children don’t experience mental health problems
Fact: It’s common for mental health issues to start in childhood. Unfortunately, less than 20% of children with diagnosable mental health problems receive the treatment they need. Early mental health support can help a child before problems interfere with their developmental needs.
Myth 3:
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. People with mental health problems can get better and many recover completely. Many factors contribute to mental health problems, including:
- Biological factors, such as genes, physical illness or brain chemistry
- Life experiences, such as trauma or a history of abuse
- Family history of mental health problems
