Say Goodbye to Stigmas

Who experiences mental illnesses?

• People of low socioeconomic status

• People of high socioeconomic status

• Adults

• People of certain races

Answer explanation

While certain factors about someone might make them MORE susceptible to mental illness, everyone is at risk—no one type of person is exempt from mental illness. Without realizing it, you probably know someone with a mental health challenge. Many people with mental health challenges are still active members of our community.

Are mental illnesses real illnesses?

• Yes, they are real illnesses

• No, they are not real illnesses

Answer explanation

Yes. they are real illnesses and should be treated as such. If someone had to have surgery, we wouldn’t tell them to “get over it,” nor would we blame them if they needed to take time to recover—the same goes for mental illnesses, we need to respect them as the real illnesses that they are.

What classifies as a real illness?

• Something for which you need the help of a doctor

• Something that interferes with your daily activities

• Something for which you must take medication

What causes mental illnesses?

• The neurological complication in the brain

• Life Experiences

• One’s personality/behaviors

• Stress/Trauma from one’s environment

• A combination of all of these factors

Answer explanation

Individuals can be more genetically prone to mental illness perhaps because of a family history of some disorder(s). Then life experiences or stress from one’s environment can spark the onset of a mental illness.

People can never cope with mental illnesses.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

People with mental illnesses can cope with them. There are many treatments, medications, services, and supports that can help. Even when people battle mental illnesses for a long time, they often learn to manage their symptoms to continue to work towards their goals at work or in school.

People with mental illnesses are violent and unstable.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

In fact, only about 3%-5% of violent acts can be attributed to individuals with a serious mental illness. Most people with mental illnesses are no more likely to be violent than anyone else.

Most people with mental health challenges get help.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Unfortunately, only 44% of adults with diagnosable mental illnesses and less than 20% (1 in 5) of children and adolescents receive needed treatment.

It’s impossible for me to help someone with a mental illness.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Friends/families can play really important roles! You can help those in need by reaching out and letting them know you are there for them, helping them access resources, treating them with respect, combating stigmas against mental illnesses, or avoiding labels such as “crazy.” However, as loving and caring as you may be, it is important that you do not take on the role of a professional. For the sake of your own mental health and the sake of your loved ones struggling with mental illnesses, you must help connect them to the professional care they may need.