The stigma surrounding mental health had deterred many Filipinos from asking for medical assistance. To break the stigma, this article will debunk these 10 myths about mental illnesses and reveal key facts about mental health.

Mental health is not as important as physical health
Well-being does not only depend on physical health; it also relies on mental health. According to current studies, people with mental illnesses are prone to have more risks to their physical health. In people with mental illnesses, smoking rates, alcohol misuse, and obesity is 50% higher than those without.

In addition, studies reveal that people with severe mental illnesses die 15 to 20 years earlier than those without. One of the contributing factors to this phenomenon is the difficulty to diagnose and treat mental illnesses, in comparison to physical illnesses.  

Mental illnesses are just “in someone’s head”
Yes, that is true. Mental illnesses are in the sufferer’s head, not because it is a figment of their imagination. Rather, the illness is literally inside their heads. Current studies have shown that mental illnesses are a result of genetics, traumatic events, and chemical imbalances in the brain.

Only a few people are affected by mental illnesses
In the contrary, mental illnesses are ranked as the third most common form of disability among Filipinos. One of five in every 100 million have it, but only one of three will ask for medical assistance.

According to the Department of Health’s latest data, 17% to 20% of adults and 10% to 15% of children are affected by mental illnesses.

Self-care is only for people with mental illnesses
Self-care isn’t just for people with mental illnesses, it is for everyone. Just as self-care teaches emotional resilience and self-management to people with mental illnesses, it also teaches the same skills to those without. These skills are important in developing better coping mechanisms and having a fulfilling life.

People with mental illnesses are crazy and dangerous
It is important to remember that sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors are determinants of violence, not mental health. According to the 2003 study published in the World of Psychiatry journal, people with mental illnesses are most likely victims of violence, rather than precursors.

A person who can function well cannot have a mental illness
Some people who are affected by mental illnesses can function well with a proper treatment plan. Others cope by hiding the symptoms from their loved ones. It is important to note that people can keep appearances, and people with mental illnesses are not an exception.  

Anti-depressants do not work
There has been a common belief that anti-depressants “rearrange” someone’s brain and hinder their recovery. That isn’t true. Studies have shown that those people who underwent anti-depressant treatment are 10 times more likely to have improvement in their symptoms.

Depression only affects young people
While it may seem that the young people are mostly stricken with depression, the risk of depression actually increases with age. Depression affects one out of five elders in the community, and two in five of those living in nursing homes.

Depression among the elder is widely unrecognized. This is because many elders believe that depression is part of aging, which is not true.

Only soldiers can be diagnosed with PTSD
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is not just confined to the military. This mental disorder actually affects 70% of the general population. Sufferers of PTSD are commonly victims of serious crimes or those who underwent an experience where their life is threatened.

If you have a mental illness, you cannot lead a normal, fulfilling life
People with mental illnesses can lead normal, fulfilling lives. With proper treatment and support, people with mental illnesses can go to college, get jobs, have kids, and travel the world. They may even achieve more things than the rest of the population could ever do.

Sources: 

http://www.manilatimes.net/mental-illness-still-neglected-in-ph/289277/

https://inews.co.uk/essentials/news/health/mental-health-awareness-week-2017-psychiatrists-debunk-seven-common-mental-health-myths/

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/5-mental-health-myths-that-need-to-stop-now_us_59c953c5e4b0cdc77333b1bf

Contributed by:
Allison Julianne Macasaet
She is a freelance writer on the side, a student of international relations on the other. Interests include fantasy books, international relations, and lifestyle.