A. IMPORTANT OBSERVATION ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH
When you take the entire health sector, you realize that one of the areas that has so much myths and misconceptions surrounding it, has to do with the Mental Health sector.
No wonder, there is still a lot of STIGMA associated with Mental health, especially within the area of Mental Illness. I mean to the extent that now, the stigma associated with mental illness has even earned a name called "SANISM" or "MENTALISM".
Just as we have racism, sexism, and so on, now we also have "SANISM". SANISM has to do with the STIGMA, DISCRIMINATION and OPPRESSION against a Mental condition a person has, or is presumed to have.
SANISM is an IRRATIONAL or BASELESS prejudice against people with mental illness.
Can you imagine, just how serious it has become?
How sad that is!
The truth is that, when the right information and facts are not made available or put within the public domain, what happens is that unfortunately people tend to go along with any misconception that they come across.
Why?
Because it's what you get to know, that you can work with. And many times, it's the information you are exposed to that you are likely to going to believe; except that information is challenged.
And that's one of the main reasons why in today's article, I want to focus on: "THE FIVE (5) MOST COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS".
And my hope is to try to set the record straight by giving you the right information and facts, so as to help you get rid of any misconceptions you might be holding on to, as far as mental health and mental illness are concerned.
I hope you are ready to be challenged in order to learn something new today.
All right, if you are ready, let's just dive into it.
B. THE FIVE (5) MOST COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS
1. Misconception No. 1:
Many people believe that people with mental condition or mental illness are violent and dangerous.
- That's a misconception, because it's not true.
Usually, whenever people see mass violence or a crowd being violent for whatever reason, they are tempted to make a remark that those crowds are (in quote) "MENTALLY DISTURBED" or "MENTALLY ILL".
When did mental illness become synonymous with VIOLENCE?
The reality is that, individuals with mental illness are rather more likely to be VICTIMS of other people's violence.
There is no reason to fear a person with a mental illness, just because you heard they've been diagnosed with a mental condition.
No, don't do that!
2. Misconception No. 2:
Many are of the view that having a mental condition or mental illness means you are "CRAZY".
The fact is:
Having a mental illness does not mean you are "CRAZY".
It only means you are VULNERABLE. There is a big difference between the two.
Being diagnosed with a mental illness only means that you have an illness that has challenging symptoms; just as someone with an illness like Diabetes, hypertension and so on.
Even though certain mental conditions such as schizophrenia and psychosis can alter your thinking, moods, your perception of reality and normal reasoning, yet, even that does not mean that you are "CRAZY" or that person experiencing that condition is "CRAZY".
It doesn't mean that at all.
3. Misconception No. 3:
It has to do with the belief that Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is only associated with people in the military.
It's not true that it's only a military person who could experience PTSD.
The real Fact is that:
ANYONE at all can have PTSD.
If you or someone unfortunately become a victim of RAPE or SEXUAL ASSAULT, or even a victim of domestic abuse, or a survivor of a natural disaster such as flooding or firebreak that destroyed almost every property you possess; that by itself can put you at a the high risk of experiencing either simple trauma or even Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
4. Misconception No. 4:
People usually believe that mental health conditions or mental illnesses are not that common.
- That's also a misconception.
The Fact:
In 2001, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that "1 out of every 4 people in the world will be affected by mental or neurological disorders, at some point in their lives."
As we speak now, about 450 million people are experiencing mental conditions.
And WHO has indicated that,
Mental disorders are "among the leading causes of ill health and disability worldwide".
And one of the most common mental health disorders has to do with "DEPRESSION", according to WHO.
Even as of 2017 (3 years ago), depression was affecting more than 264 million people globally. And this same fact was still repeated by WHO on 30th January 2020.
That's not child's play at all.
That means you should never believe the misconception that "mental health conditions or mental illnesses are not that common." They are common.
Finally,
5. Misconception No. 5:
Many people are also of the view that "SEEKING help for one's mental illness means that you are now going to be austracized or stigmatized in the community you live in."
Of course, I know that it's quite difficult for you to disclose to people that you are dealing with a mental illness or condition.
I understand it can be quite difficult.
But the reason why it's that difficult is because most people are not familiar with mental illness and what it means for someone to be receiving help while in that condition. For many people all they know about mental illness is the misconception they were exposed to.
No wonder their attitude tend to be negative as soon as they get to know that someone is diagnosed with mental illness or condition.
Despite all this, when you as an a person decides to amaze all the strength, the courage and bravery, to open up to someone or to a professional for help; what you are doing is that you are also helping to get rid of the stigma, and at the same time you are also helping yourself to get the proper treatment and help you need.
Therefore, after today, don't let the misconceptions and the negative perception of others SCARE you from seeking and getting the professional help you need.
C. CONCLUSION
I hope you've been challenged in today's article regarding any misconceptions you used to have.
Join me on this worthy campaign, as we change the world around us, in relation to mental health.
In your own small way, you can take one step at a time; but whatever you do, just make sure you join me to change society's misconceptions about mental illness.
Q: How are you going to do that?
By making use of the information you have received today.
Share the information with a friend, a family member, a neighbour, a co-worker, a church member or anyone you interact with.
And that's how together, we will make a difference as far as the mental health of people around us is concerned.
I also trust that in going forward, you will allow yourself to be more of a support to those who happen to unfortunately struggle with a mental illness or mental condition.
From today, CHOOSE to be a shoulder such vulnerable people can rely on.
And you will surely be blessed for doing that.
AUTHOR
PRINCE OFFEI
(Psychotherapist & Psychologist)
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