October is the World Mental Health Month and a lot of mental health organizations and companies like ourselves. We have our series of posts on why people should keep living and the benefits of mental health care, but we still have more to share. We acknowledge the need for the world to have open mental health conversations like it’s just another topic on regular occasions. This October, mental health practitioners around the world join together in one agenda: raising mental health awareness.
In particular, October 10 is World Mental Health Day. This one day is from WHO, as one of its campaigns for a better world. For this year’s theme, it’s “Mental Health Care For All: Let’s Make It A Reality.” This is in solidarity with all the people who are suffering from mental health problems during this pandemic. However, we can’t deny that there is still mental health stigma around us. In this blog, we’re going to bust some mental health myths that keep people from opening up meaningful mental health conversations.
10 Myths About Mental Health to Get Rid Of: World Mental Health 2021
This World Mental Health Month, let’s debunk the most common mental health myths. These fake news are affecting people’s attitudes towards getting proper mental health care. In order to debunk these, we must counter them with scientific evidence and a therapeutic approach. Here are the prevalent myths we find about mental health today:
- Mental health is only for the heavily disturbed ones
Mental health is for everyone. There are so many stressors in life such as anxiety, past traumas, inability to cope up with challenges, and more. If not handled properly, that can lead to being a heavily disturbed person (you know what we mean). The more someone mishandles stressors in life, the more he succumbs to mental illnesses.
- Mental health illnesses are a curse
Depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, and other mental health conditions are not supernatural. These are common mental health problems that happen among people neglecting mental health. Moreover, patients with the mental health conditions above don’t have a curse. They’re as human as you and me.
- Having mental health problems are because of a lack of faith
Whatever religion you believe in, the lack of belief herewith is not the cause of mental health problems. Common mental issues like depression and anxiety happen to all of us regardless of religion. Even Christians experience distress that led to depression. Other religious believers also have mental health issues, too.
- Going to therapy makes you weak
Taking the courage to take therapy is not for the weak, it’s for the strong. Not all people are brave enough to admit that they need help in their personal development. You can resolve mental health issues with a tailored, client-based therapeutic approach. This means that the client mostly does the work for self-improvement. The therapist guides and creates a treatment plan for him.
- Mental health problems go away magically
There’s no scientific basis for using psychic means to get rid of mental health issues. So it’s a brainer that people should rely on these assumptions. Mental health symptoms can go away for a bit but come back when the trauma or issue has not been resolved. So whatever stuff you have that’s out of the mental health professional’s way of solving your condition, it won’t work permanently guaranteed.
- One therapy is better than the other
Mental Health professionals have different specializations. They do this in order to attract the clients that they can help best according to their skillset. For instance, a therapist focuses on helping PTSD patients through CBT therapy. Other therapists who also cater to PTSD patients offer Prolonged Exposure therapy. Another one would offer Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy. It actually depends on your needs because every therapy is not as effective as the other if it’s not tailored to your needs. No therapy is the best, but the best therapy is the one that you actually need,
- One session is enough
When it comes to improving your mental health, you need continuous therapy. A session of therapy usually consists of 60 minute long conversations or activities that you need to do with your therapist’s guidance. The first session is usually the getting to know portion between you and your therapist so he can construct a treatment plan according to your needs. Naturally, you would be recommended for a second therapy session to start your first activity with your therapist then the next few sessions for other activities.
- Mental health issues can only be talked about with therapists
You can talk to your trusted friends and family about what you’re feeling so they will know what’s your current situation. When you let them get involved in your healing process, they will be able to know how to deal with you better. They might also learn a thing or two about mental health and be more open about it. Most likely, they will have the knowledge on how to support someone with mental health issues.
- Mental health problems are all inherited
Most mental health problems are built-up, not inherited. However, there are some people like those with bipolar mood disorder that can get this from parents. In most cases, mental health conditions are not due to direct family genes. There are many factors on why a person develops a mental health disorder. It may be because of violent or neglectful family history, toxic environment, or personal habits/vices.
- Mental health illness is lifelong
No mental health condition lasts when given the right therapy and the right amount of support. Many people with mental illnesses get therapy and recover after some time. A good amount of effort to invest towards a better mental health improvement. You can get better from whatever your mental health condition is when you take the steps to ask for help and finish therapy with strong willpower. We’re rooting for you.