Mental Health Myths

October 10th was World Mental Health Day! This international holiday focuses on raising awareness about mental health issues and increasing access to mental health care. We at Serenity Solutions are incredibly passionate about these issues, and in honor of World Mental Health Day, we’re going to debunk some common myths about mental health.

Myth #1: Only “crazy” people struggle with mental health issues

Everyone struggles with their mental health in some capacity, whether it be related to stress at work, experiencing a traumatic event, going through a major life change, like having a baby, or just navigating the daily stresses of life. Some people are diagnosed with a mental illness, like anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder; some people are never diagnosed with anything but know that they struggle to feel good about themselves and the life they’re living. None of that makes us crazy. Mental health struggles are a natural part of life, and we could all benefit from more support.

Myth #2: Talking about mental health issues is embarrassing or shameful

While many of us are taught that it’s taboo to talk about our mental health struggles, especially to people outside of our family, the truth is that speaking up about what we’re dealing with is such an important step in getting the help that we need. . The more that we vocalize how we’re feeling, the better others around us can understand our experience and support us in working toward our goals for improved mental health. . And the more that each of us speaks up, the more that we can combat the stigma that keeps us from sharing our mental health struggles in the first place.

Myth #3: Therapy is all about complaining and blaming your parents for your problems.

The common caricature of therapy is of a distressed person lying on a couch, babbling about their dreams while a “shrink” relates everything they say back to their childhood. While that caricature may hold some truth historically, it certainly doesn’t capture the reality of modern therapy. Therapy does require you to be introspective and examine the underlying meanings behind your thoughts and behaviors. But it’s also incredibly practical, providing you with concrete skills and strategies to help you achieve your goals. That’s one of many reasons why therapy is so effective.

Myth #4: No one understands what you’re going through

While it’s easy to feel alone in our mental health struggles, the truth is that they’re incredibly common. In any given year, 1 in 5 Americans struggles with a mental health issue. Most people can relate to feelings of stress, anxiety, sadness, loneliness, anger, and other common mental health symptoms. Just because people aren’t talking about their own issues doesn’t mean they aren’t experiencing them. Know that you are far from alone.

Myth #5: Mental health struggles will go away on their own if you ignore them

Facing our mental health concerns takes courage, and requires us to commit time and energy to working on ourselves. In the moment,  it can feel easier to avoid these issues than to confront them head-on. But similar to a toothache or a sprained ankle, mental health issues won’t get better if they remain under strain. Many times, they’ll even get worse. It’s important to reach out for help at the early signs that you’re struggling so that you can get the support you need before you reach a point of crisis. 

Now that you know the truth behind these mental health myths, we encourage you to take the next step. If you’re struggling with symptoms of anxiety, anger, postpartum anxiety or depression, or addiction, Serenity Solutions can help. Give us a call at 267-317-8817 for your free 15-minute phone consultation.