Myth: Mental health problems don't affect me.

Fact: Mental health problems are actually very common. In 2014, about:

• One in five adults experienced a mental health issue
  
• One in 10 young people experienced a period of major depression
  
• One in 25 Americans lived with a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression
  

Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death of people in ages 15-29. It accounts for the loss of more than 41,000 American lives each year, more than double the number of lives lost to homicide

Fact: Even very young children may show early warning signs of mental health concerns. These mental health problems are often clinically diagnosable, and can be a product of the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors.

Half of all mental health disorders show first signs before a person turns 14 years old, and three quarters of mental health disorders begin before age 24.

Unfortunately, less than 20% of children and adolescents with diagnosable mental health problems receive the treatment they need. Early mental health support can help a child before problems interfere with other developmental needs.

Myth: Children don't experience mental health problems.

Myth: People with mental health problems are violent and unpredictable.

Fact: Even very young children may show early warning signs of mental health concerns. These mental health problems are often clinically diagnosable, and can be a product of the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors.

Half of all mental health disorders show first signs before a person turns 14 years old, and three quarters of mental health disorders begin before age 24.

Unfortunately, less than 20% of children and adolescents with diagnosable mental health problems receive the treatment they need. Early mental health support can help a child before problems interfere with other developmental needs.

Fact: 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.

When employees with mental health problems receive effective treatment, it can result in:

• Lower total medical costs
  
• Increased productivity
  
• Lower absenteeism
  
• Decreased disability costs
  

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

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.

Fact: 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
  

Mental health problems are common, but help is available. People with mental health problems can get better and many recover completely.

Fact: 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.

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.

Myth: Therapy and self-help are a waste of time. Why bother when you can just take a pill?

Fact: Treatment for mental health problems varies depending on the individual and could include medication, therapy, or both. Many individuals work with a support system during the healing and recovery process.

Fact: Friends and loved ones can make a big difference. Only 44% of adults with diagnosable mental health problems and less than 20% of children and adolescents receive needed treatment. Friends and family can be important influences to help someone get the treatment and services they need by:

• Reaching out and letting them know you are available to help
  
• Helping them access mental health services.
• Learning and sharing the facts about mental health, especially if you hear something that isn't true
  
• Treating them with respect, just as you would anyone else
  
• Refusing to define them by their diagnosis or using labels such as "crazy"
  

Myth: I can't do anything for a person with a mental health problem.

Myth: Prevention doesn't work. It is impossible to prevent mental illnesses.

Fact: Prevention of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders focuses on addressing known risk factors such as exposure to trauma that can affect the chances that children, youth, and young adults will develop mental health problems. Promoting the social-emotional well-being of children and youth leads to:

• Higher overall productivity
  
• Better educational outcomes
  
• Lower crime rates
  
• Stronger economies
  
• Lower health care costs
  
• Improved quality of life
  
• Increased lifespan
  
• Improved family life