Main prejudices and false beliefs about mental health

Popular culture, the audiovisual industry, and the media have, over the decades, fostered the stigmatization and perpetuation of negative stereotypes associated with people who have mental disorders.

There are various myths surrounding mental health that are perpetuated in different social spheres. Most of these myths are far removed from reality and have no scientific basis, but these stereotypes—inherited from generation to generation—persist in our society.

Some of these false beliefs that contribute to stigmatization and discrimination are:

People with mental disorders are violent and aggressive.

People with mental health conditions are just as likely to experience violent episodes as anyone else without a mental health condition. On the contrary, they are often victims of violence and other crimes because of their vulnerability.

People with a mental disorder are social misfits

People with mental health disorders are not solitary individuals, shut away in their own world, showing no interest in the social environment, and maintaining an attitude of withdrawal and social isolation. On the contrary, having a good social network (professional, family, friends, partner, etc.) predicts a better outcome and is a protective factor against relapse. People with a mental health disorder can perfectly well live in society if they have the necessary support and resources to lead an independent and autonomous life.

Mental health disorders are irreversible

Studies show that people with mental health problems improve, and many recover completely. Recovery is the process by which people can live, work, learn, and fully participate in their communities.

People with a mental health problem cannot work

People with mental health conditions can work, just like anyone else, if they are provided with the necessary conditions and support. The barrier to employment stems not so much from the condition itself, but from the lack of adaptability of organizations, society, and government agencies in modifying workplaces and providing the necessary resources.

(*) These are people with a degree of disability greater than or equal to 33%
Source: INE, 2021

Much of the employment is formalized within the context of Special Employment Centers (CEE), regulated companies whose staff is made up of at least 70% people with disabilities, and which work for the labor inclusion of people from this group in ordinary companies.

According to the Spanish Confederation for Mental Health, people with mental health problems are just as productive as anyone else. Those who hire people with mental health problems report that these individuals have good attendance and are punctual, as well as being motivated, performing their jobs well, and maintaining their positions for periods similar to or longer than those of the rest of the staff.

Mental health disorders affect certain people; it won't happen to me.

Mental health disorders can affect anyone , regardless of age, gender, culture, or economic status. One in four people will experience a mental health disorder at some point in their lives. Globally, 450 million people are affected by a mental health problem, and between 35% and 50% receive no treatment or inadequate treatment.

People with mental disorders are better off in a mental health hospital

Eighty-eight percent of people with mental health problems live within their family environment. A mental health disorder does not have to prevent a normal life and should be addressed within the person's usual surroundings. Community-based treatment has proven to be effective. Currently, with few exceptions, mental health hospitals are understood as temporary containment spaces for acute episodes. People who receive care in the community show better and more sustained progress over time.

A mental health disorder does not have to prevent a normal life and should be addressed within the person's usual environment.

Children and adolescents do not have mental health disorders

Young children can show early warning signs that indicate a mental health concern. These problems can be clinically identified and may result from the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors. It's important to note that 50% of mental health problems in adults begin before age 14, and 75% before age 18.

Mental disorders cause intellectual disability

A mental disorder does not cause, nor is it an, intellectual disability. They are two different things . A person with a mental disorder does not necessarily have impaired cognitive abilities or skills.

People with mental health problems are weak

Developing a mental health problem has nothing to do with things like laziness or weakness. The onset of a mental health disorder is multifactorial : biological factors, traumatic life experiences, an unfavorable socioeconomic environment, and so on.

We cannot help people who have a mental disorder

All of society has a degree of responsibility in preventing mental health problems, promoting health, and providing the necessary support and resources so that people with mental health disorders can live fulfilling lives. Furthermore, when someone has a mental health problem, their immediate circle plays a crucial role in detecting warning signs and providing support through the different stages of the disorder.

All of society has a degree of responsibility in providing the necessary support so that people with a mental health disorder can live their lives to the fullest.

The disorder defines any behavior that the person has.

Not all of a person's attitudes and behaviors are symptoms of their disorder, and the disorder is not the sole explanation for everything. In other words, a person with a mental health disorder exists independently of their disorder. If we analyze their behavior as a symptom of the disorder, the person tends to lose legitimacy when expressing their emotions or opinions, which will then be pathologized and dismissed.

Myths related to specific mental health disorders

In addition to these general myths, there are some deeply ingrained misconceptions about certain disorders that have been reinforced by both the cultural industry and the media. Some widespread prejudices include, for example, the association of schizophrenia with dangerousness and violence; the perceived lack of willpower in people with depression ; the thinness and body image obsession of people with eating disorders ; the perceived attention-seeking behavior of people who self-harm ; and the belief that suicide is an impulsive act that cannot be prevented.

Another example of this association is the connection we make between people with neurodiversity disorders , such as ADHD or autism , and genius or artistic abilities. These individuals don't necessarily have superior intelligence compared to others without these conditions, nor a greater interest in science, nor do they necessarily excel more in artistic disciplines. They simply have a different way of processing information and relating to the world, with varying degrees of difficulty, given the wide range of the spectrum.