Myths & Facts

about

Mental Illness

Can you tell the difference between a

mental health myth and fact?

Learn the truth about the most common

mental health myths.

Fact:

It's plain and simple, having a mental illness does not  mean you are “crazy.” It means you are vulnerable. It means you have an illness with challenging symptoms — the same as someone with an illness like diabetes. While mental illness might alter your thinking, destabilize your moods or skew your perception of reality, that doesn’t mean you are “crazy.” It means you are human and are susceptible to sickness and illness, the same as any other person. 

Myth:

Having a

mental illness means you

are “crazy.”

Fact:

Within the last few years, the U.S. has had an increase in mass violence. Whenever these tragedies take place, the media is quick to judge the suspects and label them as “mentally disturbed” or “mentally ill.” In reality, hate is not a mental illness. Only 5% of violent crimes in the U.S. are committed by people with serious mental illness.  

Myth:

People with

mental illness

are violent and dangerous.

Fact:

Bipolar Disorder does not cause mood swings. It causes cycles that last for weeks or months. People so often throw around the term “bipolar” to describe the weather. When they say this, it downplays the seriousness of the condition and creates misinformation about what bipolar disorder actually is.   

​

Myth:

People with

Bipolar Disorder

are moody

Fact:

PTSD is not just a military man’s disease. Anyone can have PTSD. A rape or sexual assault victim, a domestic abuse victim, a survivor of a natural disaster, someone who’s suffered a loss or even a person who did not face any violence or physical threats themselves directly, but happened to witness someone else who did.

Myth:

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is only a military man’s

disease

Fact:

A lot of people believe that psychiatric medicine is harmful. That, or they believe that psych meds are simply “happy pills” and “an easy way out” for those with mental illness to avoid dealing with their problems. This is simply not true. mental illness is still an illness. For many with mental illness, medication is necessary.

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Myth:

Psychiatric medications

are bad.

Fact:

When you have the strength, courage and bravery to open up to someone else, you are working to alleviate the stigma, increase awareness, empower yourself, grow as a person, and promote understanding of mental health. So don’t let others perceptions scare you from getting the help you need.

Myth:

Asking for help with mental illness will not lead to being excluded and will actually help improve symptoms.

Let's change the world together.

One step at a time

It's important that we stop society from labeling people as violent or "crazy" just because they have an illness that they can't control.