Commonly Held Myths About Mental Health

By Jennifer Bowman, DNP, PMHNP

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to shine a light on the false beliefs many people still hold when it comes to mental health. Myths and misinformation can prevent someone from seeking the care they need—or worse, convince them they don’t need help at all. So, let’s clear the air on a few of these today.

Myth #1: “Mental illness is a sign of weakness.”
Mental illness can affect someone at any point in their life. Mental health conditions can affect even the strongest people but it does not make them any less of a person. 

Depression, anxiety, OCD, bipolar disorder-these are legitimate medical conditions with biological, psychological, and environmental factors. If your pancreas can go rogue and cause diabetes without anyone accusing you of weakness, your brain should get the same courtesy.

The truth: Strength is asking for help, showing up for therapy, or getting out of bed when everything in your mind says not to.

Myth #2: “You can just snap out of it.”
Imagine telling someone with a broken leg, “Just walk it off!” That’s what this sounds like. Mental health conditions aren’t light switches. They can’t be turned off with pep talks, forced smiles, or unsolicited advice like, “You should get a massage”. 

Healing takes time and often requires medication and therapy. 

The truth: If it were as simple as “snapping out of it” we’d all be emotionally perfect by now. 

Myth #3: “Medications change your personality.”
Mental health medications aren’t personality erasers. They don’t make you a zombie or remove your quirks (you get to keep those). 

When prescribed appropriately, psychiatric meds are designed to reduce suffering and restore your personality. They help with symptoms like intrusive thoughts, panic attacks, chronic sadness, or irritability. 

The truth: Meds can help people return to themselves—not change who they are.

Myth #4: “Kids can’t have mental health issues.”
Oh, if only. Children may not pay bills or deal with office politics, but they’re not immune to emotional pain. Anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, and other disorders can and do show up in children and teens. Ignoring or minimizing their experiences can delay necessary support and create long-term challenges.

Plus, being a kid today is different from when I was a kid especially with the evolution of social media and academic pressures. 

The truth: Kids deserve to be taken seriously when they’re struggling. Mental health care is not just for adults.

Myth #5: “Talking about suicide will give someone the idea.”
This is not only wrong- it’s dangerous. Avoiding the conversation doesn’t make suicidal thoughts go away; it makes people feel more alone.

Asking someone directly about suicidal thoughts can be lifesaving. It opens the door to connection, support, and the possibility of getting help. People don’t become suicidal because someone asked—they become suicidal when they feel there’s no way out.

The truth: Silence doesn’t protect anyone. Honest conversation does.

Myth #6: “People with mental illness are violent or unpredictable.”
This myth is fueled by sensationalized media and stigma. The vast majority of people with mental illness are not violent. In fact, they are far more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators.

Mental illness doesn’t make someone dangerous. Stigma does. Fear does. Lack of access to compassionate care does. Labeling people with mental illness as “dangerous” only pushes them further away from support.

The truth: Compassion helps. Judgment doesn’t.

Myth #7: “Once people develop mental illness they will never recover.” 
Mental illness has a long history of misunderstanding and fear. Much of this dates back to times when little was understood about the human body and mind. There are many historical factors that have led to mental illness being a taboo topic, including some cultural and religious beliefs. 

The truth: Studies show that most people with mental illnesses get better, and many recover completely. Recovery is a process in which people are able to live, work, learn, and participate fully in their communities. For some, recovery is the ability to live a fulfilling and productive life. For others, recovery means their symptoms are reduced or completely gone. Hope plays a key role in recovery.

Final Thoughts: Let’s Do Better
We’ve come a long way in mental health awareness, but myths like these still linger in the background, whispering shame and doubt when people need support the most. We need to treat our brain 

So, let’s be the generation that kicks these myths to the curb. Let’s talk about our feelings, go to therapy, take our meds when needed, and check in on each other—not just when things fall apart, but especially when they don’t have to.

Because mental health is health. Period.