By Lovlyn
It’s no secret that mental health is surrounded by countless misconceptions. Many of these beliefs aren’t new, they’re ideas we’ve grown up hearing, ideas repeated by family, friends, and society until they begin to feel normal or even acceptable.
The problem is that these myths don’t exist in isolation. They shape how we view mental health, how we treat people who struggle, and whether those who need support feel safe enough to ask for it. In many cases, believing these myths causes real harm, not just to individuals living with mental health challenges, but to the communities around them.
It’s also important to note that you don’t need to be ignorant or uncaring to believe these myths. Even educated or experienced people hold onto some of them, often because they’ve never taken the time to question what they were taught.
That’s how beliefs work sometimes. We inherit them. We absorb them from the people around us. They become borrowed beliefs, accepted without reflection simply because they’ve always been there.
Why Mental Health Myths Last So Long
Mental health myths tend to persist for several reasons. One major factor is cultural belief. In collective communities, especially, ideas are often passed down and practiced simply because everyone else believes or follows them. When a belief is widely shared, it’s easy to assume it must be right.
Another reason is media influence. For years, mental health has been misrepresented in movies, news coverage, and entertainment. While this has always been an issue, it’s become more complicated with the rise of social media and AI. Today, misinformation spreads faster than ever, and much of it goes unchecked or unverified.
Similarly, there’s also a lack of education. Many people are never given accurate information about mental health, leaving room for myths to fill the gaps. On top of that, fear and discomfort still surround mental health topics. Just like some physical health issues, certain conversations feel uncomfortable or taboo, but this avoidance is often stronger when it comes to mental health due to stigma and limited awareness.
All of this brings us back to why this blog post matters.
The purpose of this post is to challenge these beliefs by breaking down 30 mental health myths you may believe without even realizing it. Each myth will be explored to explain why it’s misleading and why it’s worth rethinking. By questioning these long-held assumptions, you take a step toward better understanding and toward creating a healthier, more compassionate society.
30 Mental Health Myths You Need To Stop Believing
1. Myth: Mental Health Is the Same as Mental Illness
Mental health and mental illness are not the same thing. Mental health refers to the overall health of your mind; that’s a simple way to put it. Everyone has mental health, just like everyone has physical health. It can be good or poor, but it exists for all of us.
Mental illness, on the other hand, occurs when there is a dysfunction or condition that affects how the mind works, much like physical illness affects the body. So, mixing the two up is like saying physical health and physical illness are the same thing. They’re related, but they are not the same.
2. Myth: Having a Mental Health Issue Means You Have a Mental Illness
This isn’t how it works. Experiencing a mental health challenge does not automatically mean you have a mental illness.
For example, burnout, grief, or emotional exhaustion are mental health challenges, but they are not mental illnesses. You can struggle with your mental health at different points in life without meeting the criteria for a diagnosable condition. Only a qualified mental health professional can diagnose a mental illness.
3. Myth: Mental Health Problems Don’t Happen in My Family
This belief is especially common in many African and collective communities, where phrases like “it’s not our portion” are often used to distance families from mental health issues.
But mental health challenges are not a curse or a portion handed to certain families. They are part of the human experience. As long as we are human beings living in a complex world, we are all susceptible to stress, emotional struggles, and sometimes illness. So, saying it doesn’t happen in your family doesn’t make it untrue.
4. Myth: Mental Illness Is Uncommon
Mental illness is far more common than many people realize. According to global health data, mental health conditions affect a significant portion of the world’s population.
The reason it often feels uncommon is because mental illness isn’t always visible. Unlike a broken arm or a skin condition, many mental health struggles happen internally. People can look completely fine on the outside while dealing with serious challenges internally. Therefore, visibility does not determine reality.
5. Myth: Only People With Serious Mental Health Issues Need Therapy
Therapy is not only for people in crisis or those with severe mental health conditions.
There are different types of therapy for different needs. While therapy is often recommended for people with mental health conditions, it’s also helpful for everyday life challenges. Experiences like grief, relationship issues, childhood trauma, or major life transitions can all impact mental health in ways we may not immediately recognize. Thus, you don’t need to be “at your worst” to benefit from therapy.
6. Myth: You Can Just Shake Off Depression or Anxiety
Telling someone to “shake off” depression or anxiety is as unrealistic as telling someone with diabetes or a serious physical illness to simply get over it.
Conditions like clinical depression or generalized anxiety disorder are not a matter of willpower. They often require proper treatment, which may include therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, or a combination of approaches.
7. Myth: Mental Health Care Is Only for Rich People
Taking care of your mental health is not a luxury reserved for wealthy people. Saying mental health care is only for the rich is like saying physical health is only for the rich.
While access can be unequal, caring for your mental health doesn’t always require money. Simple practices like exercising at home, eating more balanced meals, or minding your business to protect your peace can all support mental well-being. You don’t have to wait until you’re rich to start taking care of yourself.
8. Myth: Mental Illness Means Low Intelligence
Mental illness has nothing to do with how intelligent a person is. Intelligence and mental health are two completely different things.
Yes, some mental health conditions can affect things like focus, memory, or concentration, but that does not mean the person is less intelligent. In fact, mental illness can affect anyone, whether they have a high IQ, average IQ, or low IQ. Hence, mental illness does not define a person’s intelligence, talents, abilities, or potential.
9. Myth: Mental Health Is a White Man’s Thing
I understand where this belief comes from, especially in African communities where there are deep-rooted cultural beliefs and superstitions. That’s why you hear people say things like “it’s a white man’s thing,” but honestly, that belief doesn’t make sense.
Mental illness is not a white man’s thing. It is a human thing and can affect people of every race, background, and country, whether you’re in Africa, Asia, Europe, or anywhere else in the world. If you’ve always believed this, it’s time to unlearn it.
10. Myth: People With Mental Illness Are Dangerous
I heard this more times than I can count. And a lot of times, we see court cases or movies where a crime is linked to mental illness. You hear phrases like “pleading insanity,” and then people automatically assume that anyone with a mental illness is violent. That’s not true.
In fact, people with mental health conditions like depression are more likely to harm themselves than harm others. And people living with conditions like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder may sometimes seem unpredictable because of mood changes or impulsive behaviour, but that does not mean they are automatically dangerous. Mental illness does not equal violence.
11. Myth: Practicing Self Care Is Selfish
One thing I always tell people is this: if you don’t take care of yourself, you can’t properly take care of anyone else. You can’t be running on empty and still expect to pour into other people’s cups. You need to have something before you can give something. And that starts with prioritizing your yourself. Not because you care less about others, but because you want to show up as your best self.
And taking care of yourself is actually one of the best gifts you can give to yourself and the people around you.
12. Myth: Grief Should Follow a Defined Timeline
In many cultures, especially in Africa, there are traditions and rules around grief. You might be told how long you should mourn, what to wear, or how you should behave during that period. But grief doesn’t work like that.
Grieving comes from the heart. Someone might grieve for a short time and genuinely feel ready to move forward, while another person may still be struggling months or even years later. And that’s okay.
Healing isn’t about how long it takes. It’s about finding peace in your own time and in your own way.
13. Myth: Being Mentally Healthy Means Being Happy All the Time
Nobody is happy every single day. That’s not real life. We all experience ups and downs, stress, sadness, frustration, exhaustion, and grief. These emotions are normal, and having them does not mean you are mentally unhealthy. It just means you are human.
Mental health is not about being happy all the time. It’s about being able to recognize your emotions and manage them in a healthy way, no matter what life throws at you. So, you don’t have to be happy every day to be mentally healthy.
14. Myth: Trauma Always Looks Dramatic
When people hear the word trauma, they often think of something extreme, like flashbacks, panic attacks, or vivid memories of a terrible event. And yes, trauma can show up like that. But it doesn’t always.
Sometimes trauma looks like people pleasing because you’re afraid of being abandoned. Sometimes it looks like constantly comparing yourself to others because you grew up being compared. Sometimes it shows up quietly in the way you see yourself or relate to people. Trauma doesn’t always look the way you expect it to.
15. Myth: Children Can’t Experience Mental Health Challenges
We’ve reached a point where we understand that many conditions once associated with a specific age group no longer affect only that group. Just like some illnesses that were once seen as “old people problems” are now affecting younger people, mental health challenges are not limited by age.
Children can experience conditions like anxiety disorders, depression, and even early-onset bipolar disorder. That’s why it’s important for parents and guardians to understand that mental health challenges can begin early.
16. Myth: It’s a Shame to Ask for Help
One thing you could think about is that people will laugh at you or say you’re not strong enough to handle your problems. If you think it’s a shame to ask for help, you need to change that mindset. Nobody is truly self-sufficient. We all rely on each other in some way. So if you’re struggling with your mental health and you think you can’t talk to someone because you might be judged or seen as weak, you need to know that everybody is going through something. And everybody needs help sometimes.
Asking for help doesn’t make you weak; it makes you human. And no matter how strong you try to be, you can’t be strong all the time.
17. Myth: Nobody Is Beyond Repair
Maybe you’ve seen someone go through so much pain, make terrible decisions, or carry trauma that seems to change them completely. It’s easy to look at them and think, “This person can never amount to anything.” Let me tell you, nobody is beyond healing. No matter the trauma, the pain, or the mistakes, change is still possible. Healing is possible. It might take time, but it’s possible.
I believe in healing, and I believe that with the right help, love, and support, someone can rise again.
18. Myths: Introverts Are Antisocial
Introverts are generally not antisocial. Introversion is a personality type, and introverts normally gain energy from spending time alone. They usually prefer quiet and intimate settings. They may enjoy social gatherings, but in smaller doses or only with people they feel comfortable around.
Antisocial behaviour is different. Psychologically, it involves disregarding social norms or engaging in harmful or disruptive behaviours. Some antisocial people may avoid social gatherings or interact in manipulative or aggressive ways. It’s possible for an introvert to show antisocial tendencies, but that doesn’t mean all introverts are antisocial.
19. Only Big Changes Count as Progress
How do you define progress? Is it a huge salary increase, hitting a milestone, achieving 10 years’ worth of work in one year? Or is it being a little better today than you were yesterday?
Most people pick the first option, but progress comes in all sizes. It doesn’t have to be massive. It can be small. It can be as simple as drinking more water today than yesterday or saying no to something you’ve been struggling to say no to.
20. Only Rest When You’re Tired
If you wait until you’re completely worn out to rest, stress accumulates over time. That build-up can lead to fatigue, burnout, and affect your mental health, causing anxiety, low mood, and even depression.
Think of rest like eating. You don’t wait until you’re starving before you eat. So why wait until you’re tired before you rest? Rest isn’t just physical. It can be mental, emotional, and spiritual. It’s about doing what helps you relax and recharge.
You don’t have to keep pushing yourself to prove you’re the strongest person. If you eventually break down, it just means you need more time to recover.
21. Overthinking Is Inherently Bad
Most of us think that overthinking is just constant worry, overanalyzing mistakes, and obsessing over negative situations. And yes, overthinking can sometimes make stress worse, but it is not always bad. It can make you more thoughtful and careful in decision-making. It can help you anticipate problems and plan ahead. It can make you more self-aware because you reflect on your actions and emotions.
Overthinking only becomes harmful when it spirals into rumination, anxiety, or prevents you from taking action. When channelled well, it can be a strength, not a weakness.
22. Setting Boundaries Makes People Hate You
If someone gets angry or distances themselves just because you finally said no, it’s not the boundary that caused the problem. It just revealed the kind of relationship that was already there.
People who truly care about you will respect your limits. They might not like them, but they will understand. Those who benefit only when you have no boundaries may even try to make you feel guilty for setting them. Setting boundaries doesn’t make people hate you, it shows your self-respect and clarity.
23. Time Heals Everything
Time doesn’t heal everything. It just hides the pain long enough for you to pretend it’s gone. When you’ve been through something painful, such as trauma, heartbreak, grief, or disappointment, time alone doesn’t fix it. What actually happens is that you learn to live around the pain, not heal from it.
Time can make things feel easier, but only because you’ve gotten used to the discomfort. That wound might not bleed anymore, but it doesn’t mean you’ve healed. Intentional healing does.
24. Anger Is a Bad Emotion
You’ve probably heard someone say it’s bad to get angry, like it makes you a bad or toxic person. But anger is just an emotion like happiness, sadness, or fear.
The problem isn’t feeling anger. It’s knowing how to express or manage it. Anger only becomes unhealthy when it controls you, not when you feel it. Emotions are meant to be understood, not suppressed.
25. Being Productive Will Make Your Pain Go Away
Some people are workaholics. You might think it’s just ambition or hard work, but for some, work becomes a coping mechanism, a way to deal with loss, trauma, or heartbreak.
Yes, productivity can help you manage temporarily, but it doesn’t heal the pain. If you’re not focusing on intentional healing, processing emotions, and facing what really hurts, you won’t move past it. Pushing pain aside doesn’t make it disappear. It resurfaces eventually.
26. Toxicity in Relationships Is Normal
Just because unhealthy relationships are common doesn’t mean they’re normal. These days, many people avoid trust, deep love, or vulnerability. Some enter relationships focused only on what they will get, not what they will give, and that’s how toxicity grows.
If every relationship in your life, partner, friends, neighbours, is toxic, there’s a problem. Healthy relationships exist. They are built on trust, communication, respect, and love.
27. Vulnerability Means Weakness
Many people hide their emotions to look strong. Somewhere along the way, we start to believe that being vulnerable is being weak. Vulnerability is not oversharing or seeking pity. It’s having the courage to be honest with yourself and others about how you feel. It’s choosing authenticity over pretence.
It often takes more courage to say “I’m not okay” than to fake a smile and act like everything is fine.
28. Happiness Is a Destination
Happiness is not a final stop you reach. You won’t wake up one morning and find that everything is perfect and you’ll be happy forever. Life still happens—good days, bad days.
Happiness is a journey. It’s something you create and experience along the way. The key is learning to find moments of peace and joy, even when things aren’t perfect.
29. Therapy Brainwashes People
Some people still think therapy tells you what to think.
Therapy doesn’t control you. It helps you understand how you think. It’s not about making you agree with your therapist; it’s about giving you tools to process your emotions, thoughts, and experiences more clearly.
Therapists guide you toward self-awareness and healthier ways of coping. You still make your own choices.
30. Mental Health Is a Private Matter
Many people think mental health is a private topic that shouldn’t be discussed publicly. The truth is, talking about mental health publicly is important. Normalizing these conversations creates awareness, reduces stigma, and helps people feel less alone.
Misconceptions thrive in silence. When we bring mental health into public discussion, we make it more understood and supported.
Conclusion
There are undeniably many more mental health misconceptions out there, but these are 30 of the most common ones. If any of these myths are beliefs you’ve held onto for a long time, this is an opportunity to unlearn them and choose better understanding instead. When we begin to question and drop these misconceptions, we create space for healthier conversations, safer communities, and individuals who are able to thrive mentally and emotionally.
If there’s a mental health myth you believe wasn’t mentioned here, feel free to share it in the comments below. Conversations like these are how awareness grows.
RECOMMENDATION
If you need help or know someone with their mental health or mental illness, check out the resource page for mental health resources.
