EnlightenMental’s Mental Health Literacy Quiz

Which statement is a fact?

• Children never experience a mental health problem.

• Mental health problems are a sign of weakness.

• Mental illness is the third most common disability in the Philippines.

Answer explanation

Myth: Children never experience a mental health problem. Reality: In half of people with a mental health illness, the first warning signs appear before age 14. And even very young children can show signs of mental distress.

Myth: Mental health problems are a sign of weakness. Reality: They're never the fault of someone who has one. Mental health problems are a treatable medical disorder, not a character flaw. Many factors play a role in how and why someone develops mental illness, including brain chemistry, genes that may run in families, and stressful or traumatic events.

Fact: Mental illness is the third most common disability in the Philippines.

Which statement is a fact?

• Nearly 1 in 10 men experience some form of depression or anxiety but less than half seek treatment.

• Therapy is a waste of time.

• People who are mentally ill are violent.

Answer explanation

Fact: Nearly 1 in 10 men experience some form of depression or anxiety but less than half seek treatment. Feeling depressed or anxious is not unusual or shameful.

Myth: Therapy is a waste of time. Reality: Research shows that therapy, which is typically short-term, is very effective at helping people recover from mental illness. But it works best when combined with medicine. When both are part of a treatment plan, up to 90% of all people see an improvement in their symptoms.

Myth: People who are mentally ill are violent.

Reality: The vast majority of people with a mental health problem are not violent. In fact, only between 3% and 5% of violent acts are attributable to people with a severe mental illness. Chances are you know someone with a mental illness but don't realize it. That's because mental illness is often a hidden disease—most people who struggle with it remain highly productive members of society.

Which statement is a fact?

• Mental illnesses involve both emotional and physical symptoms.

• There's not much you can do for people with mental health problems.

• You only need to take care of your mental health if you have a mental illness.

Answer explanation

Fact: Mental illnesses involve both emotional and physical symptoms. 

Myth: There's not much you can do for people with mental health problems. Reality: You can make a big difference in someone's life. Only 44% of adults and less than 20% of children with mental health problems get necessary treatment. If someone you know is struggling mentally, reach out. Let them know you're available to listen and support them and to help them find the mental health services they need.

Myth: You only need to take care of your mental health if you have a mental illness.

Reality: Everyone can benefit from taking active steps to promote their well-being and improve their mental health. Similarly, everyone can take active steps and engage in healthy habits to optimize their physical health.

Which statement is a fact?

• If a person has a mental health condition, it means the person has low intelligence.

• Around 1 in 7 of the world's adolescents have a mental disorder.

• Poor mental health is not a big issue for teenagers. They just have mood swings caused by hormonal fluctuations and act out due to a desire for attention.

Answer explanation

Myth: If a person has a mental health condition, it means the person has low intelligence. Reality: Mental illness, like physical illness, can affect anyone regardless of intelligence, social class, or income level.

Fact: Around 1 in 7 of the world's adolescents have a mental disorder.

Myth: Poor mental health is not a big issue for teenagers. They just have mood swings caused by hormonal fluctuations and act out due to a desire for attention. Reality: Teenagers often have mood swings, but that does not mean that adolescents may not also struggle with their mental health. Fourteen per cent of the world’s adolescents experience mental-health problems. Globally, among those aged 10–15, suicide is the fifth most prevalent cause of death, and for adolescents aged 15–19 it is the fourth most common cause. Half of all mental health conditions start by the age of 14.

Which statement is a fact?

• Nothing can be done to protect people from developing mental health conditions.

• A mental health condition is a sign of weakness; if the person were stronger, they would not have this condition.

• The global economy loses about US$ 1 trillion per year in productivity due to depression and anxiety.

Answer explanation

Myth: Nothing can be done to protect people from developing mental health conditions. Reality: Many factors can protect people from developing mental health conditions, including strengthening social and emotional skills, seeking help and support early on, developing supportive, loving, warm family relationships, and having a positive school environment and healthy sleep patterns.

Myth: A mental health condition is a sign of weakness; if the person were stronger, they would not have this condition. Reality: A mental health condition has nothing to do with being weak or lacking willpower. It is not a condition people choose to have or not have. In fact, recognizing the need to accept help for a mental health condition requires great strength and courage. Anyone can develop a mental health condition.

Fact: The global economy loses about US$ 1 trillion per year in productivity due to depression and anxiety.

Which statement is a fact?

• Adolescents who get good grades and have a lot of friends will not have mental health conditions because they have nothing to be depressed about.

• The medical diagnosis of OCD translates to having repeated, persistent, and unwanted urges that cause severe distress or anxiety.

• People with mental health needs, even those who are managing their mental illness, cannot tolerate the stress of holding down a job.

Answer explanation

Myth: Adolescents who get good grades and have a lot of friends will not have mental health conditions because they have nothing to be depressed about. Reality: Depression is a common mental health condition resulting from a complex interaction of social, psychological, and biological factors. Depression can affect anyone regardless of their socioeconomic status or how good their life appears at face value. Young people doing well in school may feel pressure to succeed, which can cause anxiety, or they may have challenges at home. They may also experience depression or anxiety for no reason that can be easily identified.

Fact: The medical diagnosis of OCD translates to having repeated, persistent, and unwanted urges that cause severe distress or anxiety. It is not always about being too clean or organized.

Myth: People with mental health needs, even those who are managing their mental illness, cannot tolerate the stress of holding down a job. Reality: People with mental health problems are just as productive as other employees. Employers who hire people with mental health problems report good attendance and punctuality as well as motivation, good work, and job tenure on par with or greater than other employees.

Which statement is a fact?

• Eating disorders can occur in both men and women.

• Personality weakness or character flaws cause mental health problems. People with mental health problems can snap out of it if they try hard enough.

• There is no hope for people with mental health problems. Once a friend or family member develops mental health problems, he or she will never recover.

Answer explanation

Fact: Eating disorders can occur in both men and women.

Myth: Personality weakness or character flaws cause mental health problems. People with mental health problems can snap out of it if they try hard enough. Reality: Mental health problems have nothing to do with being lazy or weak and many people need help to get better. Many factors contribute to mental health problems, including: Biological factors, such as genes, physical illness, injury, or brain chemistry Life experiences, such as trauma or a history of abuse Family history of mental health problems

Myth: There is no hope for people with mental health problems. Once a friend or family member develops mental health problems, he or she will never recover. Reality: Studies show that people with mental health problems get better and many recover completely. Recovery refers to the process in which people are able to live, work, learn, and participate fully in their communities. There are more treatments, services, and community support systems than ever before, and they work.

Which statement is a fact?

• Only people without friends need therapists.

• Mental illnesses prove tricky to treat because it is so hard to pinpoint exactly what to do; treating a mental illness is not as simple as taking cold medicine.

• Physical health problems are worse than mental health problems.

Answer explanation

Myth: Only people without friends need therapists. Reality: There is a large difference between structured talking therapies and speaking with friends. Both can help people with mental illness in different ways, but a trained therapist can address issues constructively and in ways that even the best of friends cannot match. Also, not everyone can open up entirely in front of their nearest and dearest. Therapy is confidential, objective, and entirely focused on the individual, which is not generally possible in more informal chats with untrained friends.

Fact: Mental illnesses prove tricky to treat because it is so hard to pinpoint exactly what to do; treating a mental illness is not as simple as taking cold medicine.

Myth: Physical health problems are worse than mental health problems. Reality: Just because you can’t see a mental illness doesn’t mean it’s any less painful or debilitating than a broken arm. A mental health problem can feel just as bad as, or worse than, any other illness and requires just as much support.

Which statement is a fact?

• People with a mental illness can “pull themselves out of it”.

• People with mental health problems are more likely to be a victim of violence, rather than a perpetrator.

• Mental health disorders aren’t “real” illnesses.

Answer explanation

Myth: People with a mental illness can “pull themselves out of it”. Reality: A mental illness is not caused by personal weakness and is not ‘cured’ by personal strength.

Fact: People with mental health problems are more likely to be a victim of violence, rather than a perpetrator.

Myth: Mental health disorders aren’t “real” illnesses. Reality: Mental health disorders are real and legitimate illnesses. Even though they may not always have a physical manifestation, mental health disorders can cause significant impairment to an individual’s well-being.

Which statement is a fact?

• Mental illness is just an excuse for poor behavior.

• Recovery from mental illness is impossible.

• Using mental illnesses as adjectives and metaphors dilutes the seriousness of mental illnesses.

Answer explanation

Myth: Mental illness is just an excuse for poor behavior. Reality: People with mental health issues are often unable to control their behavior. Unfortunately, chemical changes in the brain or brain structure that occur with mental illness actually change the way that the person is able to think and rationalize. Because mental illness is something that many do not struggle with, they don’t understand what it is like to live with. While some behaviors may be controlled, depending on the type of mental illness, many people are not able to fully control their behaviors.

Myth: Recovery from mental illness is impossible. Reality: While there may not be a cure, many mental illnesses are treatable.

Fact: Using mental illnesses as adjectives and metaphors dilutes the seriousness of mental illnesses.