Myths on mental health debunked || Mental health misconceptions.

No! Faith healers can’t heal you. 5 Myths on Mental Health debunked: Promoting awareness of mental health.

40% of sufferers of mental health issues in Northern India seek help of faith healers before seeking psychiatric care. Mental health stigma attached to such sufferers makes them susceptible of social exclusion. All of this is a result of certain taboos attached to mental health issues. Creating awareness of mental health is the way forward. You can help by striking conversations with people and breaking following myths.

Myth 1: Patient is possessed by a ghost or witch.

Mental illness reflects in person’s behaviour so people perceive the patient as possessed and often take them to faith healers. For people who believe in faith and divine, it is important to understand that a healthy mind is required for meditation. Fact is mental illness alters thinking and behaviours but it doesn’t mean the person is crazy retard. It is just like any other physical illness which required care and treatment.

Myth 2 : Seeking help would lead to being taken to mental hospital.

Fact is that not all mental illness treatments require hospitalisation. Infact, many are only prescribed medicines or therapies.

Myth 3 : Medicines are addictive.

Fact is just like any other medical condition, mental illness is an illness. For some with mental illness, medication is mandatory , just like it would be for a diabetic. For others, medications help reduce symptoms. For others, even therapies can improve quality of life.

Myth 4 : Mental illness is because of lack of sex desire, excessive masturbation. Marriage solves mental illness.

Masturbation is a normal healthy activity enjoyed by large proportion of people. Though having a mental health issue or depression may in turn lead to low libido. It is important to talk about mental health issues to counselors or mental health professionals.

Myth 5 : Asking for help shows inner weakness and inability to handle issues.

Asking for help is actually a sign of courage. Being vulnerable is not a sign of weakness. Instead it shows you are taking control of the situation and acting to remedy it.

Creating awareness of mental health is important if we are seeking well being for all humans. Workshops in schools and colleges to sensitise youth, mainstreaming counselling services etc can be beneficial. A very effective way forward to debunking myths around faith healing and other myths can be - being a part of a social media campaign to create awareness of mental health.

Myths on mental health debunked || Mental health misconceptions.