Our information about mental health usually comes from the news, movies, shows, and literature, which
can paint a grim and inaccurate picture. It is important to check our biases, examine myths, and educate
ourselves to avoid stigmatizing ourselves or others.
Common Mental Health Myths
• Myth #1: Mental illness isn’t
• Myth #4: Bad parenting
a real illness. Mental illnesses
causes mental illness. Mental
have causes, symptoms,
illnesses are caused by a
and treatments just like any
combination of genetics,
physical illness. They create
biology, environment, and life
distress, don’t go away on their
experiences. Family members
own, and often require help to
and loved ones play a large role
get better.
in support and recovery.
• Myth #7: People who
experience mental illness
are weak and cannot handle
stress. Stress affects everyone.
Those with a mental health
history may actually be better
at managing stress because
their illness requires that they
learn stress management and
problem-solving tools.
• Myth #2: Mental illness
• Myth #5: People with mental
cannot affect me. One in five
illnesses are violent and
Canadians will experience
dangerous. People with mental • Myth #8: Everyone gets
depressed as they get older; it’s
mental illness in their lifetime.
illnesses are more likely to be
just part of aging. Ageism and
More than 1.8 million people
victims of crimes rather than
mental health stigma create
over sixty years of age are living
commit them.
a significant barrier to older
with a mental health problem
• Myth #6: People don’t recover
persons seeking help for mental
or illness in Canada. Even if
from mental illness. No one
health conditions.
you never experience it, there
should expect to feel unwell
is a high chance that a family
forever. People with mental
member or friend will.
illnesses can and do lead
• Myth #3: Mental illness is
productive, rich, and fulfilling
an excuse for poor behaviour.
lives. With the right support
Sometimes people with mental
and treatment, people can learn
illness will act in ways that are
how to manage their symptoms
unexpected or ‘strange.’ It is
to get back to their goals.
important to remember that
the illness — not the person
— is behind the behaviour.
People with mental illness may
also make decisions that seem
strange or unexpected just as
people without mental illness do.
Feelings of isolation and
hopelessness are very real
and intense
news&views SUMMER 2019 | 49