Mental health conditions affect millions of people, yet there remains negative stereotypes and stigma around mental health.
Stigma is linked to shame, lower self-esteem and social isolation. This may lead people experiencing mental health challenges to avoid seeking help. Stigma can be so strong that people may even face difficulties when looking for care. With more understanding, people with mental health conditions may be able to get the support they need more easily.
What is mental illness?
“Mental illness includes a broad range of conditions in which your mental and/or behavioral capacities are out of balance. It can create distress or get in the way of your personal life, relationships, work and other aspects of life,” said Noshene Ranjbar, MD, a psychiatrist with Banner - University Medicine.
Some mental health issues include but are not limited to:
- Anxiety disorders
- Depressive disorders
- Bipolar and related disorders
- Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Autism spectrum
- Substance use disorders
Mental health conditions may impact your thinking, emotions, behavior and physical health. Common challenges include:
- Insomnia (sleeping too little) or hypersomnia (sleeping too much)
- Difficulty thinking clearly or overthinking
- Difficulty managing your emotions or feeling numb emotionally
- Feelings of hopelessness or helplessness
- Suicidal thoughts and behaviors
- Aggressive thoughts and/or behaviors
- Difficulty relating to other people in healthy ways
- Difficulty holding down a job
- Maladaptive coping, such as relying on substances or other things that could cause added harm
Without support that works for you and your needs, mental illness carries long-term impacts on you and the people in your life.
The stigma of mental illness
People often unfairly label those who have mental illness. They may think that people with mental health conditions are weak or dangerous. This is also called stigma. Stigma may stem from:
- Lack of education: Many people don’t understand what mental illness is and how it affects people.
- Media: Movies and TV shows may reinforce negative stereotypes by portraying people with mental illnesses as unstable or violent.
- Cultural beliefs: In some communities and cultures, discussing mental health is off-limits, making it harder for people to feel safe sharing their struggles or seeking help.
Because of stigma and misconceptions, people with mental health disorders may:
- Deal with discrimination in the workplace, health care settings and/or personal relationships. “Misconceptions can lead to discrimination because people tend to judge one another or jump to conclusions when they aren’t aware of or educated about a person, situation or condition,” Dr. Ranjbar said.
- Struggle to find health care or stay employed.
- Hide their symptoms, delay or avoid treatment. “When community and work leaders, parents and others around us pretend to be OK all the time, it gives the message that struggling with a mental illness is bad, shameful or simply not allowed,” Dr. Ranjbar said.
- Feel shame, isolation or hopelessness.
Common misconceptions about mental illness
Dr. Ranjbar addressed common myths about mental health conditions that many people think are true.
Myth: There’s little hope for someone who has a mental illness.
Fact: People, families, communities and societies can prevent many mental health illnesses.
When difficult mental health states happen, there are scientifically proven methods, (such as diet changes, mind-body practices, different types of therapy, medications and techniques that act on your nervous system) that can help.
The journey of healing and overcoming mental health struggles often contributes to personal, family and community growth, strengthening and wisdom. “Access to care is not always efficient, easy or equitable, but it is important to reach out for help and never give up,” Dr. Ranjbar said. “Some of the most creative, innovative and fulfilled humans – both in history and today – have struggled with mental health challenges at one time or another.”
Myth: People with mental illness are dangerous or violent.
Fact: Most people with mental health challenges are not violent or dangerous. In fact, people with mental illness are more likely to be the victim of crime than the one who commits a crime.
It is also important to understand that changes in behavior are often linked to the person’s overwhelmed nervous system. A growing number of people have heard of fight, flight or freeze responses, which may feel uncontrollable and happen when you’re stressed or feeling overwhelmed. Learning how to check in with your nervous system and how to find calm in stressful situations can be both a relief and very helpful for people experiencing mental health challenges.
Myth: Mental illness is caused by personal weakness or is the person’s fault.
Fact: Just like any major illness, mental illness is not the fault of the person who has it. “Factors that contribute to mental illness include toxic stress, traumatic life events and intersecting sociocultural, environmental and biological factors. Landing in psychological distress is not a personal weakness or something the person did wrong,” Dr. Ranjbar said.
To manage a mental health condition, you need personalized support that reinforces your inner strength and courage. Seeking help, attending therapy or taking medication are signs of resilience, not weakness.
Myth: People with mental illness could get over it on their own if they really wanted to.
Fact: We would never expect someone with heart disease or diabetes to just get over it. Mental illnesses are legitimate medical conditions just like physical health conditions, with specific physiological bases. They can be painful, disruptive and limiting.
“With good care, social support, resources and enough time, mental illnesses can be treated,” Dr. Ranjbar said. “I struggled with mental illness in my younger years and, though it felt exceptionally painful, lonely and hopeless at times, I’m grateful I was able to get help, heal, learn and grow as a result. Much of what I’ve been able to accomplish and share with others as a physician, family and community member, author and educator would not have been possible otherwise.”
Myth: People with mental health needs, even those who are managing their mental illness, can’t hold down a job.
Fact: Many people with mental health challenges can perform at a high level at their jobs and other aspects of life if their condition is diagnosed and properly treated. Access to affordable care resources that offer personalized support is very important for public health and policy leaders to make a priority in our health care system.
How to be more aware and understanding about mental illness
To help break the cycle of stigma, you can:
- Educate yourself and others about mental illness. Share information and, if you hear someone discussing stigma-focused ideas about mental health, explain why they should consider a more appropriate point of view. Challenge stereotypes you come across in media and everyday conversations.
- Support mental health care programs that make it easier to access treatment.
- Create space for people to share their lived experiences. Listen closely to what the person feels they need before acting on assumptions about what is needed.
The bottom line
It’s important to replace outdated beliefs about mental illness with compassion and understanding. Breaking down myths about mental health reduces public stigma and encourages people to seek the support they need.
If you or someone you know is struggling with a mental health condition, remember that help is available. It’s a sign of strength and courage to take that first step and contact your health care provider or an expert at Banner Health. Recovery is possible with the right resources, support and mental health care.
