It’s mental health awareness week, so I want to address many of the misconceptions surrounding mental health. Despite many attempts to destigmatise it, a lot of people still act like mental health problems are something shameful. One of the only benefits of this COVID-19 pandemic is that it’s had such a massive impact on worldwide mental health that it’s not possible to hide it away anymore. So now we’re talking about it, let’s clear away a lot some of the untruths and general crap out there.

It’s Rare

As I just said, the reduction in already inadequate provision of mental health services as well as lockdowns, deaths, job losses and being trapped at home with a small group of people has meant more people than ever are admitting they have problems with their mental health. So, how widespread is it? There are no definite figures, but in 2017, the Institute for Health Metrics and EvaluationMental Health Awareness Week – Mental Health Misconceptions released their Global Burden of Disease study. The study suggested that as many as 1 in 10 people globally live with a mental health disorder like depression, anxiety and dysthymia and bipolar disorder. I think it’s time to admit it’s a big problem.

Poor Mental Health Is A Sign You’re Weak

No one who has never suffered from anxiety or depression will understand how difficult it is. Imagine getting up and feeling a misery so complete it steals all the joy from life. At the same time, you feel like a giant boulder is crushing your chest. Imagine it’s accompanied by feelings of utter exhaustion, headaches and brain fog that can sometimes make focusing on even the most simple tasks impossible. Sounds tough, doesn’t it? Now think what it would be like to have to do that not once but over and over again—not having to do it for a day or two or weeks at a time. Do you still think I’m weak?

People Who Have Mental Health Issues Can’t Work

Unless the person has exceptionally severe mental health problems that are not yet adequately treated or medicated, most of them function as normal, productive members of society. It’s something I do. I know a lot of my work colleagues would be shocked if they knew I suffer from depression. I always try to be upbeat and positive in public. It’s only my husband and my sister who see me as I really am, plus you guys, of course!

Once You Have A Mental Illness You’ve Got It Forever

I’m not going to delve into this one too deeply, as I recently wrote a whole post on whether depression can be permanent here. The short version is that for every mental illness, there are tens if not hundreds of thousands of people who sought help and have been well ever since. Mental illnesses of all kinds can be and are cured every day. There is also a group of people like me who have had to accept it’s here to stay. However, it didn’t mean the end of my life! I manage my condition, and I can honestly say I do have a good life. Please believe whatever diagnosis you, a loved one, or a friend has, you will be ok.

Schizophrenics Are Violent

This one annoys me more than anything else. People with schizophrenia, in general, are far more likely to hurt themselves than others. However, whenever they are portrayed in drama series, they are raving, violent monsters. My most lasting memory is of David Krumholtz’s character stabbing Dr Carter and medical student Lucy Knight in ER. People suffering from significant mental health disorders are only believed to be responsible for 4.3% of the violence in any area. People with schizophrenia are fourteen times more likely to be the victim of violence than the offender. They need to be helped, not feared.

Happy Mental Health Awareness Week!

So Musers, those are my top misconceptions, but what are yours? Please do contact me and let me know or pop a comment below 👇 Til next time, be kind to yourself and others and do what you need to to protect your mental health. It’s mental earth awareness week, and it’s never been more important.