There are lots of different myths about mental health and they increase stigma, Discrimination and misunderstanding. How much do you know?
Myth: Mental health problems are rare.
Fact: Mental health problems are common. 1 in 4 people will have a mental health condition during their life.
Myth: People can snap out of it if they try hard enough
Fact: Mental health is an illness, just like physical health. It has symptoms and needs treatment to recover from. You wouldn’t tell someone in a wheelchair to get up and walk – you shouldn’t do it with mental health either.
Myth: Only some people have mental health.
Fact: We all have mental health – just like we all have physical health. Mental health is just another way to describe our general wellbeing – it’s about how we are thinking, feeling and behaving and it changes from day-to-day.
Myth: I can’t help someone with a mental health condition – only a doctor can
Fact: Anybody can help someone with a mental health condition. Just being there to talk can help. Most people with mental health conditions want to keep in touch with friends, family and colleagues.
Myth: Only certain people experience mental health problems.
Fact: Anyone can experience a mental health problem at any time.
Myth: People who have mental health conditions don’t recover.
Fact: Lots of people do recover from mental health conditions, and most people go on to live happy, fulfilling lives. For others, their mental health condition might recur throughout their life but with ongoing treatment they can manage it well.
Myth: People are born with a mental health condition.
Fact: Most people who develop mental health problems with no family history.
Myth: People with mental health conditions can’t hold down a job.
Fact: We probably all work with someone experiencing a mental health problem. In fact, having a job, and keeping it, is generally good for our mental health and self esteem.
Myth: People with serious mental health conditions tend to be violent or dangerous.
Fact: People with a mental condition are more likely to be a victim of violence.
Myth: Children and young people don’t have mental health conditions.
Fact: 1 in 10 young people are experiencing mental health conditions at any one time. On average, that’s about 3 young people in every school classroom. The mental health can drive their behaviour – they’re not just naughty children, it’s not just their hormones.
Myth: If you have postnatal depression, you’re a bad mum.
Fact: About 85% of new mothers go through a brief period of feeling emotional and tearful – known as the 'baby blues’. This is so common it’s considered normal.
About 10-15% of new mothers develop a much deeper and longer-term depression known as postnatal depression. There are treatments that can help – it can take time to recover from it, so it is best treated as early as possible.
Myth: Dementia only happens to older people.
Fact: People in their 40s and 50s can get early onset dementia. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia in younger people.
Myth: You can’t live a normal life if you have a mental health condition.
Fact: Living with a mental health problem can often have an impact on day to day life, making things that others might not think about a bit more difficult. Most people can learn ways to cope with everyday things like money, work, university and more; and with support and time can be successful and live well.
Myth: There’s no support available for people with mental health conditions.
Fact: There are services in Bury that can help if you are experiencing difficulties with your mental health. You can search for services on this website.