Uncovering the Facts of the 11 Most Common Myths about Mental Health

This, of course, is a myth. Fortunately, as the world becomes more aware of mental health conditions, these misconceptions are slowly disappearing. Even individuals experiencing the most serious conditions, such as schizophrenia, are mostly non-violent.

It is true that some people with certain mental illnesses can be violent and unpredictable, but they are in the minority.

Authors investigating the link between mental health and violence help explain why this myth has gained traction over the years:

“Violence attracts attention in the news media. Violence in the context of mental illness can be sensational, which only deepens the stigma that is already permeating the lives of our patients. “

Although there is a definite link between violence and mental illness, explains one author, “Members of the public exaggerate the strength of the link between mental illness and violence and their own personal risks.”

In the comments that appear in The Lancet, Sir Graham Thornicroft, a professor of community psychiatry at King’s College London in England, wrote,

“People with mental illness are more often victims of violence than perpetrators.”

(Vania Accalia)

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