1. Myth: “I can diagnose myself or others with a mental health condition based on online research, hearsay, social media, television shows, or movies.”
   
   Fact: Self-diagnosis and labeling others without proper medical evaluation can lead to misinformation and perpetuate stigma. Only medical health professionals are qualified and trained to diagnose and treat mental health conditions through evidence-based criteria. When educating yourself, please use credible resources like the World Health Organization (WHO), the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), or the American Psychiatric Association (APA). Most television shows and movies create dramatizations and inaccurate depictions of people living with mental health conditions. Do not rely on social media information, and do not self-diagnose yourself or others. Otherwise, it can be misleading and potentially harmful. (Source: National Institute of Mental Health)
   
    

2. Myth: “People with a mental illness are violent, dangerous, & lead to abusers.”
   
   Fact: The majority of people with mental illnesses are not violent, and people with mental illnesses are more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators. Mental illness can exacerbate symptoms that may contribute to abusive behavior, but abusive behavior is a choice based on environmental, social, and psychological factors. Mental illnesses do not create abusers. (Source: The National Domestic Violence Hotline; National Institute of Mental Health)
   
   Please see the Consent, Anger & Irritability, and Rehabilitation for Abusers sections on this page.
   
    

3. Myth: “I have a mental illness and trauma, and that excuses my poor and toxic behaviors.”
   
   Fact: Having a mental illness or trauma is not a “get out of jail for free card.” Having a mental illness or trauma does not justify or excuse you from taking accountability and responsibility for toxic behaviors and actions. Triggers activate a person’s flight or fight response; however, you are responsible for your own triggers. Most people with mental illnesses can manage their conditions, live fulfilling lives, and still be held accountable. Do not use your mental illness or trauma as a crutch. Doing so can perpetuate stigma and negative stereotypes, hinder personal growth, and damage relationships. Trauma, a reason, and mental illness are not an excuse for toxic behaviors and actions. (Source: National Institute of Mental Health)
   
   Please see the Consent, Anger & Irritability, and Rehabilitation for Abusers sections on this page.
   
    

4. Myth: “Mental illnesses are caused by bad parenting.”
   
   Fact: Although parenting can be attributed to developing mental illnesses, it is very complex. Mental illnesses can arise from genetic, environmental, and social factors. Parenting is not the primary cause of mental illnesses. (Source: American Psychological Association) 
   
    

5. Myth: ‘You don’t look disabled, sick, or (insert name of a mental illness).” “Are you sure you are (insert name of a mental illness)?”
   
   Fact: People with mental illnesses often do not have visible symptoms and can be invisible to others. People with mental illness may appear to be high-functioning or may not appear to be struggling. However, having a mental illness does not mean the conditions are any less real or debilitating. Questions or phrases like these minimize the person’s experiences and emotions and can be dismissive. This can also perpetuate stigma and shame, making individuals feel like their experience is not valid and they are not believed. (Source: National Institute of Mental Health)
    
    

6. Myth: “Mental illness and mental health are a modern problem, and younger generations are weak, lazy, attention-seeking, and need to suck it up.”
   
   Fact: Mental illnesses have existed throughout history and affected people of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds. Previous generations may have suffered in silence or manifested symptoms in other ways due to a lack of awareness, stigma, and limited resources. The difference is that we now have a better understanding of mental health and mental illnesses, and we can provide accurate diagnoses and more effective treatments. (Source: World Health Organization).
   
    

7. Myth: “Any difficult, stressful, or unpleasant experience is traumatic."
   
   Fact: While all trauma is valid, not all bad experiences, stress, or disciplinary actions lead to trauma. Trauma differs from adversity, stress, or everyday stressors. While trauma exists on a spectrum, labeling everyday stressors, setbacks, or even some healthy parental disciplinary actions (like taking your phone way, doing chores, or grounding) as traumatic can perpetuate stigma, making it more challenging for people who do have trauma to seek help and can divert attention and resources away from those who genuinely need support and services for trauma. Unpleasantries are not the same as trauma. (Source: American Psychological Association).
   
    

8. Myth: “People with a mental illness are “crazy,” “nuts,” “insane,” incompetent,” and “unreliable.”
   
   Fact: These terms are problematic, inaccurate, and stigmatizing. People with mental illnesses are not defined by their conditions and deserve to be respected and met with understanding. (Source: World Health Organization)
   
    

9. Myth: “People with mental illnesses are “weak.”
   
   Fact: Mental illnesses are not a sign of weakness and are a legitimate medical condition that requires quality support, care, and treatments. (Source: National Institute of Mental Health) 
   
    

10. Myth: “Just get over it and be happy.”
    
    Fact: Mental health conditions are not something that can be “gotten over.” They require support, understanding, and treatment. (Source: World Health Organization)
    
     

11. Myth: “I get bipolar sometimes, “I get sad too, “I like things clean, so I am OCD.”
    
    Fact: Mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder (BP), major depressive disorder (MDD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are multifaceted and complex. Mental illnesses cannot be self-diagnosed or reduced to simplistic statements. If these statements are said to try to connect with someone living with these mental health conditions, they can cause more harm than being sympathetic. It can minimize the experiences and emotions of people with actual mental health conditions and perpetuate stigma. (Source: National Institute of Mental Health) 
    
     

12. Myth: “Mental health days are just an excuse not to do or go to work, and they are lazy.”
    
    Fact: Mental health days, regardless of whether a person has a mental illness, are a legitimate way to take care of one’s mental well-being. They support overall health, improve productivity, and prevent burnout. We should push more mental health days as sick days rather than focusing on whether people will take advantage of the situation. (Source: Mayo Clinic Healthcare System)
    
     

13. Myth: “The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is law.”
    
    Fact: Although mental health professionals widely use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) to diagnose and classify mental health conditions, mental illness and mental health will always exist on a spectrum. The DSM has many limitations. There needs to be interdisciplinary investigation and conversation implemented in the DSM. The DSM is more of a guidebook, and each person’s symptoms and treatments will differ, even if they share the same diagnosis. (Source: American Psychiatric Association) 
    
     

14. Myth: “People with mental illnesses cannot maintain relationships.”
    
    Fact: With proper support and treatments, people with mental illnesses can and do maintain healthy relationships. (Source: National Institute of Mental Health)
    
     

15. Myth: “People with mental illnesses are creative.”
    
    Fact: There have been many studies researched linking mental illness and creativity. While some people may exhibit exceptional creativity, there is no inherent link between creativity and mental illness. (Source: American Psychological Association)
    
     

16. Myth: “Medication will fix it all.”
    
    Fact: Medication can be an effective form of treatment for mental health conditions. However, lifestyle changes and social support must also work in tandem with the medication. Sometimes, medication can be the wrong form of treatment for some people. (Source: National Institute of Mental Health)
    
     

17. Myth: “Once I go to therapy or take medication, I will be immediately cured and fixed.”
    
    Fact: Recovery from mental health conditions is an ongoing process and can be slow. There are many trials and errors with different forms of therapy and even medication, and sometimes people may experience setbacks. It takes time, patience, dedication, effort, ongoing self-improvement, support, learning, and growth. It is a continuous process. There is no magic cure that can instantly fix mental health issues and conditions. (Source: American Psychological Association) 
    
     

18. Myth: “Talk therapy will always work; it is the only therapy.”
    
    Fact: While talk therapy is valid and effective, it is not the only type of therapy, and it may not work for everyone. There are many forms of therapy, such as dance therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy, medication, meditation, group therapy, couples therapy, and more. (Source: American Psychological Association) 
    
     

19. Myth: “If I go to therapy, I will be institutionalized or be incarcerated.”
    
    Fact: Therapy is a voluntary process protected by confidentiality laws, privilege laws, and ethical guidelines. However, there are some exceptions where a therapist might be required to take action or disclose information: imminent harm (risk of harming themselves or others), child or elderly abuse, or court-ordered disclosure. (Source: American Psychological Association)
    
     

20. Myth: “Only crazy people go to therapy.”
    
    Fact: Therapy is for all people, even people without a mental illness—your mental health matters just as your physical health. Therapy is a proactive and brave step towards caring for one’s mental health and wellness. (Source: American Psychological Association) 

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