In this day and age, there is a considerable focus on ending the stigma around mental health, but there is one big set back: misconceptions. Media allows for the quick spread of information, but it isn't always completely accurate. To address the gaps in mental health care, we need to talk about what we currently believe to get to the next level of care. Below are a few phrases that I have encountered from friends, professors, and health care providers, and I would like to dispell them.
"Young people should be able to handle more stress."
I have found that some individuals, especially in older populations, toss this phrase around. However, these same people fail to understand that everyone undergoes different trials and tribulations throughout their lifetime. For example, a child within the school system may genuinely fear the lack of safety within the classroom, considering recent events. Living a few generations above, an aging woman may be more focused on the loss of friends and family to various health conditions. There is no way to pit these two evils against one another. It's not our business. Therefore, we cannot even begin to understand the pressures that another individual may encounter.
"It's all in your head."
In my opinion, this one is the worst misconceptions to have. It takes away the validation that many deserve. Mental illness is real. It impacts people around you every day. Sure, it may not always be easy to see, but that doesn't mean that it's not there. The brain is a complicated system. It irks me to know that across the country, people are denied the help that they need because there is not necessarily a tangible cause present. For example, with a condition such as major depressive disorder, people find it so easy to say "snap out of it" or "just be happy", but there are so many layers that they don't understand. Mental health is a complex web of both environmental and chemical factors. It requires multiple angles to manage and should not be overlooked.
"People with mental illness are dangerous."
I have heard this statement in a couple of my classes, and my professors seem to base it on incorrect assumptions. Sure, some people may be afflicted with heightened aggression or disorientation that may lead to escalated situations. However, that does not mean that "dangerous" should be a blanket term over mental illness. It is situational and reflects an opinionated viewpoint.
"There is no way to get better."
I have also heard this a few times in the past year, and it's not true. Yes, it takes a lot of trial and error, but the main thing to remember is to champion the small victories. Personally, with anxiety disorder, my first line of defense was managing my symptoms. After that, I tried to find ways to prevent the reemergence of anxiety in my daily life, but relapses do occur. That's just natural, but it doesn't mean that your progress isn't still there. Think of it more as a little bump in the road before your next peak.
"It impacts you fully every day."
This is one of the more widely believed statements discussed. It can be challenging to understand the day to day transition that occurs. You can be okay at one moment, and then mental illness can take over in the next. The trajectory of this journey is difficult to pinpoint. There are ups and downs, and that is entirely normal. It is okay to have a beautiful day out and then need the next day to recharge. The path to recovery is not linear, but you are so strong. You have endured so much, and the next peak in health is just around the corner.
댓글