For those of us who struggle managing mental health issues, we also have to grapple with the myths that people have about mental illness. It seems everybody is an expert on things they know nothing about. This article will seek to unravel some of the myths that surround those struggling with mental illness.
Those With Mental Health Issues Aren’t Sick, Just Weak
I’m a strong person. I work umpteen hours a day. I’ve been through hell and back in my life experiences. I’ve helped those without mental health issues overcome major obstacles in their life -I’ve been the shoulder that others have stood on. I’m also bipolar. I guarantee you that I can run circles around you -even on my worst day. I’m also not alone.
My mental illness doesn’t come from a lack of strength or laziness. It’s a combination of a number of factors -none of which includes the quality of my character. Most, if not all, mental health issues stem from biological factors such as genetics and physiology. Other contributing factors include genetic inheritance -if you have family history of mental health issues, then you are at heightened risk.
People With Mental Illness Can’t Work
This one is just laughable. As someone who has worked in management, I can attest that there are a great number of people with various mental health issues working happily day in and day out. I’ve worked with individuals struggling with borderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder, autism, and schizophrenia. I’ve also worked with those who have retardation issues such as MMR. In many of these personal experiences, the work quality produced by these employees was of a much higher quality then my regular employees.
What is important, for those who employ individuals suffering from mental illness, is that employers provide patience and understanding for these employees. They can be quite valuable for your business -and a boost to the quality of your work.
Violent Criminals Often Have Mental Health Issues
I’m sure this one comes from somewhere deep in the human psyche itself. The idea that societal ills are due to those different then the majority predates human civilization itself. In smaller populations, this made some sense -well, for some things. There is no evidence to indicate that those with mental health issues are more violent then those without.
The reality is that those with mental health issues are more likely to be the victim of violent crimes. Whether its being robbed, attacked, hit by a car, or murdered -the news is littered daily with tragic stories of acts committed towards the mentally ill. Don’t believe me? Open up your local and national news.
There are many more myths that can be unraveled. These are just some of them. Understanding fact and fiction is important in understanding the realities of the world. We may not understand why people arrive at believing false narratives, but we can do everything possible to educate them of reality. It’s the right thing to do, after all.
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Jason A Woodruff 