#shawleveryday2019 Day 82

Today I want to dispel a few myths about mental illness.

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

Fact: People with mental health problems are no more likely to be violent than anyone else. Only about 3-5% of violent acts in the US are attributed to people with mental illness. In fact, people with mental illness are 10 times more likely to be the victim of a violent act than anyone else.

Myth: Bad parenting/personal weakness/character flaws causes mental illness..

Fact: No one factor can cause mental illnesses. Mental illnesses are complicated conditions that arise from a combination of genetics, biology, environment, and life experiences. Mental health problems have nothing to do with being lazy or weak.

Myth: People are “faking it” or doing it for attention.

Fact: No one would choose to have a mental illness, just like they wouldn't choose to have a physical illness. It can sometimes be hard to explain to others what it's like to have a mental illness, but that doesn't make it any less real or distressing.

Myth: Taking medication for your mental health issues will change your personality.

Fact: Medications for mental health are designed to help you peel back the negative concerns and get you back to your regular personality and who you really are.

Myth: Mental illness is the same for everyone.

Fact: Everyone experiences the world differently and the same goes for mental illness. Not everyone will experience the same symptoms and not everyone will need the same treatment.

Details about this shawl
Authenticity shawl pattern