There have been various theories and facts as well as myths around mental health. Everyone has their own thoughts and knowledge of mental health. This is the result of the myths floating around the topic of mental health in society.
Today, we are going bust those myths. UNICEF- United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund has gathered some of the myths that need to be busted floating around mental health.
Let’s hop onto the myths around mental health according to UNICEF.
These include;
- If a person has a mental health condition, it means the person has low intelligence.
This is an absolute myth. According to the fact “Mental illness, like physical illness, can affect anyone regardless of intelligence, social class, or income level.”
2. You only need to take care of your mental health if you have a mental health condition.
This is a myth about mental health. In contrast to this myth, everyone should take care of their mental health even if they are leading a pretty good life and with minimum stress.
The facts state; “Everyone can benefit from taking active steps to promote their well-being and improve their mental health. Similarly, everyone can take active steps and engage in healthy habits to optimize their physical health.”
3. Poor mental health is not a big issue for teenagers. They just have mood swings caused by hormonal fluctuations and act out due to a desire for attention.
This a myth that needs to be busted. In contrast, the fact says; “Teenagers often have mood swings, but that does not mean that adolescents may not also struggle with their mental health. Fourteen per cent of the world’s adolescents experience mental health problems. Globally, among those aged 10–15, suicide is the fifth most prevalent cause of death, and for adolescents aged 15–19, it is the fourth most common cause. Half of all mental health conditions start by the age of 14.”
4. Nothing can be done to protect people from developing mental health conditions.
According to UNICEF
Fact: “Many factors can protect people from developing mental health conditions, including strengthening social and emotional skills, seeking help and support early on, developing supportive, loving, warm family relationships, and having a positive school environment and healthy sleep patterns.
The ability to overcome adversity relies on a combination of protective factors, and neither environmental nor individual stressors alone will necessarily result in mental health problems. Children and adolescents who do well in the face of adversity typically have biological resistance as well as strong, supportive relationships with family, friends and adults around them, resulting in a combination of protective factors to support well-being. “
