Mental Health has been a serious issue with a lot of people latched on to it. With the hard nut that is to be cracked, Mental Health is subjected to a lot of myths and false messages which change its emphasis. Some of which we might actually be believing.
The myths and false ideas about mental health have made it shift like a shutter cock somewhere between a serious issue and a titbit. It is about time we educate ourselves on what exactly is mental health and eradicate the myths that we have been fed up all along.
Here are some myths that are fed up to the extent of normalisation in our society:
MYTH: Mental Health is not as important as physical health
It is very common to take someone’s mental health with a pinch of salt in our society. Mental health is not parallelised with physical health and is treated like a taboo. So many people don’t even realise that they have mental health issues because of the social pressure and lies they are fed up. These people are deprived of their right to the treatment and are pained all their life.
MYTH: Mental Health is rare
Every one in four people has mental health issues. So it means someone around you is struggling with it and you don’t even know about it. It is essential to tend to someone who shows the signs. It could be your son, roommate, colleague or even yourself suffering from mental health issues. All these people can be in different age groups. It is not rare!
MYTH: People with Mental Health issues are violent
This has to be the biggest myth that blankets us. People with mental health are not violent. People with mental illness as well as schizophrenia are still not violent. Infact, it is the opposite; people with mental health issues tend to be the victim rather than the violent attacker. Being violent is more of a personality driven problem rather than a mental health one.
MYTH: Young People don’t have Mental Health Issues
Every one in eight of the youth experiences mental health issues. Sometimes the happy faces and young students face mental health issues. These people are mostly shunned and commonly said that ‘young people don’t have it’. They have it and it’s about time we see it.
MYTH: Talking and Therapy doesn’t work for Mental Health
Normalising therapy is very important. Being there for someone with a mental health issue really makes a difference. Some of your time to listen or sometimes relisten the story is worth it. Therapy and talking breaks the ice and makes a huge difference. It unravels some knots for the person.
So you see sometimes ‘it is all going to be fine’ is not enough. Some people have deep roots, some need our help and attention. The least we can do is extend an ear and not spread false information without proves.
