In the context of mental health, there’s a plethora of myths, misinformation, and disinformation that are further perpetuated by popular media. This World Mental Health Day, here’s an attempt to debunk some of them.

World Mental Health Day is observed on October 10 for “global mental health education, awareness, and advocacy against social stigma”. Celebrated for the first time in 1992 at the initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH), an association involving more than 150 countries, each year this day involves a special theme centered around mental health. This year’s theme of “Mental Health for All: Greater Investment, Greater Access. Everyone, everywhere” assumes a special relevance considering the unprecedented havoc of the last nine months, courtesy of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since the beginning of the outbreak, there has been widespread discourse, debate, and academic propaganda related to the psychological and social effects of the pandemic across various cultures. Ironically, the facets of psychological wellbeing, which should have always been important, were portrayed and highlighted with renewed significance, thanks to the virus. I don’t intend to say that the ongoing COVID-19 crisis does not have mental health implications. Rather these issues discussed today have always been important – to reduce stigma, improve awareness, and enhance help-seeking among those suffering from impaired mental wellbeing or psychiatric disorders.

The National Mental Health Survey (NMHS) 2015-16 and several other researches following it have shown a wide Mental Health Gap (mhGAP: a term coined by the WHO) in India. Working in tertiary care mental health centers, we cater to the proverbial tip of the iceberg of the vast population needing mental healthcare. The relevance of psychological wellbeing unfortunately is short-lived, under-reported, and often brushed aside under more ‘sensational issues’. Celebrity suicides, for instance, spark endless discussions on suicide prevention, its importance, and sensitive media reporting of suicide. However, in no time, the narrative gets hijacked by the speculative trajectory of conspiracy theories, media buzz, and political mud-slugging.

Stigma is an all-pervading, deeply ingrained social issue. A strong vector that maintains this stigma in the context of mental health is the plethora of existing myths, misinformation, and disinformation that are further perpetuated by popular media of psychiatric disorders. Let us have a look at some of these common misconceptions and correct them for good:

Table of Contents

Myth #1: A person either has a mental illness or is mentally healthy.

Like any other aspect of health, mental wellbeing is a continuum and not divided into binary categories. Imagine someone who is overweight and has raised blood pressure (not crossing the diagnostic threshold of hypertension). Can s/he be diagnosed with a specific medical illness? No! But if unchecked and untreated, this same individual might end up having obesity, hypertension with increased risk for diabetes and heart problems.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health is not just the absence of a mental disorder. It is a state of wellbeing in which an individual:

Realises his or her own potential

Can cope with normal stresses of life

Can work productively

Can perceive satisfaction

For every diagnosed psychiatric disorder like depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, autism, etc. there are thousands of others who are excessively stressed, in mental distress, are unhappy, going through difficult life-events, are having sleep disturbances, are not feeling happy for long. These are signs of impaired mental wellbeing (not a disorder) and need help to prevent reaching the breaking point.

Myth#2: People with mental illness are always violent and need to be separated from society.

This popular misconception has traditionally led to asylums being constructed on the outskirts of cities, further strengthened by how a person suffering from mental illness is portrayed to be lunatic/aggressive/deceptive/dangerous in popular media. Though certain illnesses can cause suspiciousness and hallucinations in individuals, studies show that people with psychiatric disorders run the risk of harming themselves more than others. The much-discussed aggression in mental disorders is mostly contextual and on provocation. The treatment of people with mental disorders needs to be inclusive and empathetic, no different from those with typhoid, malaria, diabetes, thyroid, or any other health issues.

Myth# 3: Psychiatric medications are addictive and harmful.

I have lost count of the number of times patients/families prefer to stop medicines for mental illness while continuing other long-term medicines for diabetes, blood pressure, heart, etc. It’s important to understand that all medicines have their own share of side-effects – these should be discussed with your doctor.

Psychiatric medicines are not bad, toxic, or addictive when used under medical supervision. Medicines must be taken only as advised by a medical professional and it is essential to follow the dose and duration as suggested.

Myth# 4: Only ‘mad’ people visit a psychiatrist/psychologist.

You do not need to be “out of your mind” to seek help! We all need help at various times in life. Identifying the need to obtain mental healthcare for yourself or someone else helps break the stigma and promote timely care. The words “mad”, “lunatic”, etc. are pejorative and only promote discrimination and stigma.

Myth# 5: It’s all in the mind!

Psychiatric problems are ‘real’ diseases that need treatment, can be treated, and most importantly prevented. Equating depression with just feeling sad is as harmful as likening a runny nose with pneumonia.

If someone is not feeling mentally well, it’s important to seek professional help. Loss of sleep, appetite, weight loss, severe sadness, guilt, difficulty in personal or professional life, death wishes, etc. are all signs that shouldn’t be ignored. Hanging out with friends, having a drink or smoke, or watching a good movie might offer temporary relief, but they are not pragmatic solutions.

This World Mental Health Day, let us ‘emotionally invest’ in mental wellbeing, with understanding, empathy, and awareness to improve access to mental healthcare for all. Each one of us can act as myth-busters for a stigma-free world!

(The author is a psychiatrist, NIMHANS, Bengaluru.)