Did you know that nearly 34% of adults with a mental illness never seek treatment because they are worried about what others might think? Mental well-being is often overlooked, mainly because of the stigma that still surrounds it. For a long time, there wasn’t enough awareness or education about mental health, and this left many people struggling in silence out of fear of being judged. Misconceptions label those with mental health challenges as “weak” or “incapable,” but the truth is very different. Today, let’s break three of the most common myths and spread some much-needed awareness.
We’ve all heard this one before. Many people believe that teens only deal with mood swings because of hormones.
The truth is, yes, mood swings are part of growing up, but that doesn’t mean teenagers can’t also experience real mental health challenges. According to UNICEF, almost 14% of teens worldwide struggle with mental health issues. When their struggles are brushed off as “just hormones,” the real warning signs are often missed, and this keeps the cycle of neglect going.
This misconception is one of the most damaging. The idea that someone is weak because they’re struggling is simply not true.
Mental health conditions have nothing to do with willpower or physical strength. Anyone—no matter their age, gender, or lifestyle—can face mental health struggles. These conditions are not a choice, and they often stem from complex issues within the brain, such as faulty mood regulation (Harvard Health Publishing). Calling someone weak for their struggles is just as wrong as calling someone weak for having a broken arm or diabetes. In reality, it takes great strength to keep going while battling a mental health disorder.
On the surface, someone’s life may look “perfect”—wealth, success, or happiness—but that doesn’t mean they can’t have mental health challenges.
The truth is that mental health has nothing to do with how perfect a person’s life looks on the outside. Anyone, regardless of their situation, can experience mental health struggles. Judging someone’s mental state by how their life appears only creates more misunderstanding and stigma.
Breaking these misconceptions is the first step to ending the stigma around mental health. Everyone deserves to be understood, not judged. Awareness and compassion are the keys to building a more supportive and healthy society.