An alarming rise in depression and anxiety and a 30% rise in suicides since 1999 point to a major crisis in our culture. Across the globe, one in four people is affected by a mental health condition or neurological disorder in their lifetime. About one in five Americans are facing a mental health problem. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in regards to suicide, within the past year, about 1.3 million adults have attempted suicide, 2.7 million adults have had a plan to attempt suicide, and 9.3 million adults have had suicidal thoughts. Above all, these concerns do not discriminate from person to person. Mental health disorders affect all people regardless of age, gender, socioeconomic status, nationality, etc. Unfortunately, our society often paints mental illness as the way they would a prison sentence, a permanent situation that brands an individual. However, mental illness is not a brand or a label, it is a sign that an individual is suffering deeply and must seek treatment. And it is falsehoods like these that can prevent people from getting the help they need to get better. Debunking the common myths associated with mental health disorders can help society realize the importance of helping others seek treatment and show individuals the importance of addressing their mental health challenges. Here are some of the most common facts and myths about mental illnesses.

Myth: Mental Illness is caused by personal weakness
Fact: Mental health disorders are not a personal choice nor are they caused by personal weakness.

Although the exact cause of most mental illnesses is not known, it is becoming clear through research that many of these conditions are caused by a combination of genetic, biological, psychological, and environmental factors — not a personal weakness or a character defect. Individuals have a higher likelihood of developing a mental illness if their parent or sibling has been diagnosed with a mental health disorder since studies have shown that first-degree relatives are about three times as likely to develop a mental health disorder compared to the rest of the general population. Trauma and stress are known to increase the risk of mental health disorders, specifically depression. For example, the loss of a parent before the age of 10 years old increases the risk of depression later in life. Chronic pain, medical illness, and psychosocial stress can also play a role in major depressive disorder. Older adults may find medical illness psychologically distressing, and these illnesses may lead to increased disability, decreased independence, and disruption of social networks. Substance abuse, bullying, parental divorce, poor social school, physical or emotional trauma, and chronic medical conditions are also known to potentially lead to the development of a mental health disorder.