Mental illness has many faces. Just as physical illness manifests itself in many different ways, so too does mental illness. Currently, it is estimated that approximately one in five people suffer from mental illness of one form or another. While it is only human nature for people to fear what we don’t understand, fear of mental illness actually stops people from obtaining the necessary help that they so desperately need. It is unfortunate that this happens because effective treatment exists for almost all mental illnesses. Worse, the stigma experienced by people with a mental illness can be more destructive than the illness itself.

There are many myths about mental illness. Until people learn the truth, they will continue to deny that mental illness exists at all or avoid the topic all together. Some of the common myths associated with mental illness are:
- People with mental illness are violent and dangerous. The truth is that, as a group, mentally ill people are no more violent than any other group. In fact, they are far more likely to be the victims of violence than to be violent themselves.
- People with mental illness are poor and/or less intelligent. Many studies show that most mentally ill people have average or above-average intelligence. Mental illness, like physical illness, can affect anyone regardless of intelligence, social class or income level.

- Mental illness is caused by a personal weakness. A mental illness is not a character flaw. It is an illness, and it has nothing to do with being weak or lacking will power. Although people with mental illness play a big part in their own recovery, they did not choose to become ill, and they are not lazy because they cannot just "snap out of it."
- Another common myth about mental illness is that it is a single, rare disorder. Mental illness is not a single disease but in fact, a broad classification of many different disorders. Anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, personality disorders, eating disorders and organic brain syndromes can cause misery, tears, discrimination, fear and missed opportunities for thousands of Canadians.
(Part 2 to be continued next week...)

Todd Stern M.Ed.