In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, Lyra Health wants to dispel several prevalent myths about mental health to ensure that they don’t hinder you from seeking the care you need.
Myths about mental health prevent many people from getting the help they need. Stigma—the same associated with needing mental health support—can be deeply harmful. Given that rates of anxiety, depression and other mental health disorders are on the rise, it appears that these stigma continue to cause people to suffer needlessly in silence.
Here are some of the common myths about mental health and facts.
- It’s normal to struggle. A long-standing myth about mental illness is that it’s not normal to feel badly. But mental health struggles are a normal part of the human condition. Nearly 20 percent of people in the U.S. suffer from anxiety, and approximately 7 percent experience an episode of major depression. Part of breaking the mental health stigma is openly discussing the fact that many people will need mental health support at some point in their lives.
- People should be able to handle mental health issues on their own. If you break your leg, no one expects you to walk off the pain. Just as you seek care from a physician for a physical ailment, you should have the same expectation of receiving treatment for a mental health issue. You may feel like you must deal with your mental health concerns alone. In reality, a wealth of support exists to help you feel better.
- People with strong support networks don’t need therapy. Therapists provide a different level of support than friends or family. Both contribute to positive mental health, but in different ways. Professional mental health support is:
- Confidential – People often feel more at ease opening up to a mental health professional because they are bound by privacy laws.
- Objective – The therapist’s role is to listen attentively and offer tools and strategies to help you feel better. There is no risk of them judging you, taking sides or using information against you.
- Skilled – Counselors, therapists and mental health coaches have specialized training and tailor treatment to your needs. Many use therapies that have been proven effective in research.
- Mental health disorders are a sign of weakness or lack of willpower. This myth about mental illness is one of the most damaging. Mental disorders are medical conditions, just like diabetes, heart disease and other physical health problems. They are caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, environment and life experiences like trauma. Managing a mental health disorder requires strength and resilience.
- Mental health care is only for people with severe problems. Everyone has mental health, even if you don’t have a diagnosable mental health condition like depression or anxiety. For those who have been diagnosed with mental health conditions, there is no substitute for treatment from a licensed care provider. But if you have mental health struggles that are on the milder end of the spectrum, such as stress or relationship issues, you can still benefit from mental health support. And even if therapy isn’t the right fit for you, there are many ways to bolster your mental health, such as:
- Mental health coaching: Working with a certified mental health coach can help you build coping skills, set goals and solve problems.
- Self-care apps: These are do-it-yourself tools for learning effective self-care strategies at your own pace. While they can’t replace treatment with a therapist or mental health coach, they’re a useful starting point for people who don’t need, aren’t interested in or aren’t yet ready to meet with a professional for care.
- Healthy lifestyle habits: These include consistent sleep patterns, a healthy diet, regular exercise and socializing with people you care about.
It’s likely that we will all struggle with our mental health at various points in our lives. We all deserve support to overcome these struggles, without myths about mental health standing in our way. Destigmatizing mental health means acknowledging that this struggle is common. It is valid and normal to seek mental health care. While self-care is useful, we don’t always have to go alone, and asking for help is a sign of resilience.
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Vanderbilt employees and their families are eligible to receive 12 counseling or coaching sessions per household member each calendar year, at no cost to employees.
Sign up today at vanderbilt.lyrahealth.com or call 877-804-2856.
You can view frequently asked questions on the Office of Health, WellBeing and Belonging’s website.
Guided by the Surgeon General’s Five Essentials for Workplace Mental Health and Well-Being, The Office of Health, WellBeing and Belonging aims to strengthen health, well-being and a sense of belonging among employees. We are dedicated to promoting mental health, work-life balance and a supportive work environment. For more information, email HWB at [email protected].
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