WHAT DO YOU SEE?

Misconception
About Mental Illness

Samiksha Sharma
 Objectives

At the end of the session, all the students will be able

to
– describe the misconception about mental illness

– state the ways to overcome these

misconceptions/attitudes

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 Terminology

• Stigma:

A mark or sign of disgrace usually

eliciting negative attitudes towards the
person having mental illness

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 • Misconception:

A view or opinion that is incorrect because

it is based on faulty thinking or
understanding.

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Are you sacred of people with mental
illness?
 Common Misconception In
Our Community

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1. Myth: Mental illness are caused by the result
of past life or by gods as punishment for the sin
or by Bhoot, Mohoni, Black Magic, Paap and
Boksi

Facts: The actual cause of mental

illness is still unknown

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2. Myth: Mental health problems don't affect
me.

Fact: Mental health problems are actually

very common. In 2016, about:
– 1 in 3 people in Nepal are suffering from
psychiatric problems.

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3. Myth: Children don't experience
mental health problems.

Fact: Even very young children may

show early warning signs of mental
health concerns.

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

Fact: Only 3%-5% of violent acts can

be attributed to individuals living with a
serious mental illness.

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5. Myth: People with mental health
needs, even those who are managing
their mental illness, cannot tolerate the
stress of holding down a job.

Fact: People with mental health

problems may be just as productive as
other employees.
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6. Myth: There is no hope for people with mental health
problems. Once a friend or family member develops
mental health problems, he or she will never recover.

Fact: Studies show that people with mental health

problems get better and many recover completely and
are able to live, work, learn, and participate fully in
their communities.
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7. Myth: I can't do anything for a person with a
mental health problem.

Fact:
Only 44% of adults and less than 20% of children
and adolescents receive needed treatment.
Friends and loved ones can make a big difference.

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8. Myth: Prevention doesn’t work. It is impossible
to prevent mental illnesses.

Fact: Prevention focuses on addressing known risk

factors.

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9. Myth: Mental illness is something to be ashamed
of.

Facts:
 People don’t go for treatment because of a social
stigma
Family does not want anybody to know about it .

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10. Myth: Mental health is not related to physical
health

Facts:
Mental illness have its effect on physical health and
vice versa.

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11.Myth: Marriage can cure mental illness

Fact: Marriage cannot cure mental illness,

rather the patient’s condition may
turn to be worse than before. Marriage
can become an additional burden.

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 How to overcome these attitudes?

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 How to overcome these attitudes?

• Health education to the society can overcome

the attitude towards mentally ill people.

• It can be done by:

– Making use of media of mass
communication
– Conducting public lectures, organizing
mental health exhibitions
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 How to overcome these attitudes?
 Distributing pamplets
 Group discussion involving selected groups like
teachers, employers, local leaders etc

 Encouraging the community people to visit mental

health centres
 Extending psychiatric services to general hospital.

 Demonstrating the usefulness of treatments

 Advising the family to participate in treatment programs.
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THANK YOU