Facts About Mental Health

MYTH: Mental illnesses cannot affect me.
FACT: Mental illnesses are surprisingly common; they affect almost every family in America. You probably know someone with a mental illness and don’t even realize it. Mental illnesses don’t discriminate — they can affect anyone.

MYTH: Mental illnesses are brought on by a weakness of character.
FACT: Mental illnesses are a product of the interaction of biological, psychological and social factors.

MYTH: Once people develop mental illnesses, they will never recover.
FACT: Studies show that most people with mental illnesses get better, and many recover completely.

MYTH: Therapy and self-help are wastes of time.
Why bother when you can just take one of those pills you hear about on TV?
FACT: Treatment varies depending on the individual.

(Source: SAMHSA http://allmentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/thefacts.aspx)