Here is a quick look at fifteen myths—false and misleading ideas—about mental illness, which can harm those affected and prevent the rest of us from doing what we can.
MYTH 1. MI is rare. Affects very few people
FACT: As shown in our February and March issues, mental illness affects more people than we may be aware of. According to some studies, one in four persons suffer from some form of mental illness. In India, it is likely that we do not have exact figures, but those suffering from mental illness will be in the millions.
MYTH 2: MI is inborn. Nothing can be done about it.
FACT: This is largely false. A few persons may have inherited tendencies towards some mental illnesses (e.g., bipolar illness), but mental illness can be caused or aggravated—just like physical illness—by the environment and by events, such as, the death of dear ones, a natural calamity (like the Tsunami), sexual or physical abuse.
MYTH 3: MI means that the person is “crazy” (mad).
FACT: This is not true at all! Just as we can get different types of bodily ailments—cold, fever, diabetes, heart disease—a person can have a type of mental illness, e.g., severe depression, and able to go about their work, and function normally in many areas of life. A mental illness, like physical ailments, can be mild, moderate or severe.
Fr Joe Mannath SDB
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