How much do you know about mental illness? Here are some common myths and truths.
MYTH: People with mental illness are violent and dangerous.
TRUTH: As a group, mentally ill people are no more violent than any other groups. In fact, they are more likely to be the victims of violence than to be violent themselves.
MYTH: People with mental illness are poor and/or less intelligent.
TRUTH: Many studies show that most mentally ill people have average or above-average intelligence. Mental illness, like physical illness, can affect anyone regardless of intelligence, social class or income level.
MYTH: Mental illness is caused by a personal weakness.
TRUTH: A mental illness is not a character flaw. It is an illness, and it has nothing to do with being weak or lacking will-power. Although people with mental illness can play a big part in their own recovery, they did not choose to become ill.
MYTH: Mental illness is a single, rare disorder.
TRUTH: Mental illness is not a single disease but a broad classification for many disorders. Anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, personality disorders, eating disorders and organic brain disorders affect millions of Canadians every year.