- By Iram Hussain
- Mon, 14 Oct 2024 06:18 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
According to WHO, in every 8 people in the world live with a mental disorder and as per their report released in 2022, approximately 1 billion people worldwide are living with a mental health disorder. Additionally, during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, cases of depression and anxiety surged by 25%, highlighting the growing mental health crisis. These alarming statistics emphasize the urgent need to prioritize mental health and treat it as important as physical and financial well-being.
However, one of the most significant barriers to achieving this is the widespread misinformation and stigma surrounding mental health. By addressing and debunking common myths, we can foster greater understanding and encourage those who need help to seek it without fear of judgment. In a conversation with Jagran English, Dr Manmohan Kaur Tedwal, Consultant, Clinical Psychology, Max Hospital, Shalimar Bagh debunks five common myths about mental health that people believe to be true.
Myths About Mental Health
Myth 1: Teenagers Don’t Suffer From Mental Health Issues
Fact: Mental health issues can affect people of any age, including teenagers. In fact, 14% of the 1 billion people living with mental health disorders are teenagers. Half of all mental health conditions begin by the age of 14. It’s crucial not to dismiss the struggles teenagers face as mere mood swings or attention-seeking behaviour. Ignoring early signs of mental health issues during adolescence can lead to long-term consequences.
Myth 2: A Mental Health Issue Is A Sign Of Weakness
Fact: Mental health issues are not a sign of personal weakness. Just like other ailments, people don’t choose to have a mental health issue. There have been cases of depression and suicide committed by some very successful, happy and rich people who the world thought had no problems at all.
Myth 3: You Can Snap Out Of A Mental Health Issue By Thinking Positive
Fact: While maintaining a positive mindset can certainly be beneficial, mental health issues cannot simply be "snapped out of" with positive thinking alone. Serious conditions like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or severe depression often require a combination of therapy, medication, and professional support. It's important to recognise that mental health conditions are medical issues that need appropriate treatment, just like physical health problems.
Myth 4: Mental Health Conditions Are Linked To Low Intelligence
Fact: This myth is not only false but also dangerous. There is no scientific evidence linking intelligence levels to mental health conditions. Mental health conditions are influenced by a wide range of factors, including trauma, genetics and environmental influences, none of which are related to a person’s intelligence.
Myth 5: Bad Parenting Is The Primary Cause Of Mental Health Issues
Fact: While parenting styles can impact a child’s well-being, they are not the sole cause of mental health disorders. Mental health is influenced by various factors such as biological factors like genetics and neurodevelopmental changes, environmental conditions like poverty or violence, family dynamics which have neglect, abuse or depressed/ anxious parent(s) and external pressures, such as academic stress, social media and peer dynamics.