Myths and facts about mental illness

There are a number of misconceptions many people have about mental illness.

Myth: Depression is a weakness in character that can be fixed by 'pulling yourself up by the bootstraps.”

Fact: Depression is a physical illness caused by a chemical imbalance in the frontal lobe of the brain. The good news is that 80-90 percent of individuals can be treated effectively with medication and therapy.

Myth: Violent crimes are committed by people with mental illness.

Fact: People with mental illnesses are usually the victims of violent crimes not the perpetrators. Unfortunately, the media tend to use the mental health of individuals as a way to explain why a tragedy occurs.

Myth: Only teenagers commit suicide.

Fact: The highest suicide rates are for people over 65, although suicide is the second highest cause of death among young people 15-24.

Myth: ”It doesn't affect me - I don't know anyone with a mental illness.”

Fact: Eight percent of the population, 15 million adults, are affected by depression in their lifetime. Psychiatric disorder is the number one reason for hospital admissions nationwide.

Myth: Mental illness is caused by poor parenting.

Fact: Mental illness affects every cross section of our nation.

Please create a dialogue in your home about mental illness to help decrease the stigma. Remember mental illnesses are no different from diabetes, heart disease or cancer. We need to treat them as such by developing empathy, understanding and education.

If you are in need of services check out our local chapter of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. You also can contact Abbe Center for Community Mental Health, which provides services for children and adults in Linn and surrounding counties.

' Teresa Daubitz, LBSW, is a community representative to The Gazette editorial board. Comments: mdaubitz@msn.com