Our emotional, psychological, and social well-being all contribute to our mental health. It has an impact on how we think, feel and behave. It also influences how we deal with stress, and make decisions. Mental health is essential throughout life, from infancy and adolescence to maturity. If you have mental health difficulties, your thinking, emotions, and behavior may be impacted throughout your life. Many variables lead to mental health issues, such as
- Biological components, such as genes or brain chemistry
- Life events such as trauma or abuse
- Family history of mental health issues.
Mental health issues are frequent, but treatment is possible. People suffering from mental illnesses can recover, and many do.
Myths and Facts About Mental Health
Myth: Everyone is affected by mental health issues
Fact: Mental health issues are quite common
In 2020, approximately:
- One in every five American adults has a mental health problem.
- One in every six young persons has had a significant depressive episode.
- One in every twenty Americans suffered from a severe mental disease, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or significant depression.
In the United States, suicide is the biggest cause of death. It was, in fact, the second-highest cause of mortality for those aged 10 to 24. It claimed more than 45,979 American lives in 2020, almost doubling the number of murder deaths.
Myth: Children do not have mental health issues.
Fact: Even very young children may exhibit early warning signals of mental health issues. These mental health issues are often clinically diagnosable and might be the result of a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors.
Half of all mental health illnesses manifest themselves before the age of 14, and three-quarters manifest themselves before the age of 24.
Unfortunately, barely half of children and adolescents with diagnosable mental health issues get the necessary therapy. Early mental health intervention may assist a kid before difficulties interfere with other developmental requirements.
Myth: People suffering from mental illnesses are aggressive and unpredictable.
Fact: The great majority of persons suffering from mental illnesses are no more likely to be aggressive than anybody else. Most persons with mental illnesses are not aggressive, and only 3–5% of violent actions may be linked to someone suffering from a major mental disease. In fact, those with serious mental disorders are more than ten times more likely than the average population to be victims of violent crime. You most likely know someone who has a mental health problem and is unaware of it, since many persons with mental health issues are extremely engaged and valuable members of our communities.
Myth: People suffering from mental illnesses have no hope. A friend or family member who suffers from mental health issues will never recover.
Fact: Studies demonstrate that persons with mental health issues improve and, in some cases, totally recover. The process through which individuals are able to live, work, study, and engage fully in their communities is referred to as recovery. More therapies, services, and community support networks are available than ever before, and they work.
Myth: Prevention is ineffective. Mental diseases cannot be prevented.
Fact: Prevention of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders focuses on addressing identified risk factors such as trauma exposure, which may impact the likelihood of children, adolescents, and young adults developing mental health issues. Promoting children’s and youth’s social-emotional well-being results in:
- Increased overall productivity
- Improved educational outcomes
- Reduced crime rates
- Economic growth
- Reduced health-care expenses
- Improved living quality
- Increased longevity
- Better family life
