Mental Health Myths
Life’s challenges can be overwhelming; everyone deserves a space to feel heard and supported. At Roamers Therapy, we provide trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, LGBTQIA+ affirming, and evidence-based environments to help you heal, grow, and navigate your mental well-being journey. As your psychotherapist, we are here to guide you every step of the way.
Find the Right Therapist in Chicago to Help You Challenge Mental Health Myths
Mental health myths are commonly shared (and often misinformed) beliefs about mental and emotional well-being. These myths are often formed by a number of things, including the portrayal of mental health issues in the media, misunderstanding of mental health issues, and spreading misinformation.
Misinformation
Misinformation and myths about mental health are dangerous as they contribute to harmful attitudes about mental health (e.g., shame, fear) or keep people from seeking the support they need. Because of this, it is important to stay educated and unlearn harmful stereotypes about mental health and mental illness. Let’s debunk some now!
Myth 1: Intrusive Thoughts
Myth: Having intrusive thoughts means you want to act on them. Truth: People who experience intrusive thoughts (for example, people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, OCD) often experience high amounts of distress due to the intrusive (and unwanted) thoughts. As a result, they may engage in compulsions (or rituals) to alleviate their distress from the unwanted thoughts.
Myth 2: Suicide
Myth: Talking about or assessing suicide will encourage people to attempt suicide. Truth: Talking about suicide (especially with young people), assessing for suicide, or checking in on loved ones who have expressed suicidal ideation does not encourage suicide attempts. In fact, talking about suicide provides an opportunity to communicate about suicide and shows that we care about the individual(s).
Myth 3: Depression
Myth: Depression is all in your head. Truth: Depression is not just something that’s “in someone’s head.” Depression is a mental, emotional, social, and biological disorder. It is not necessarily a normal part of life; it is chronic and pervasive, and it can lead to serious health implications, including heart disease, weakened immune system, weight fluctuations, and fatigue.
Myth 4: Burnout
Myth: Burnout is a sign of weakness. Truth: Burnout is not a sign of weakness. Burnout is the aftermath of someone who has lived under excessive amounts of stress for a long time without taking any breaks. The belief that burnout is a sign of weakness contributes to people taking less, which further exacerbates their burnout. Untreated burnout can lead to serious health problems and employment issues.
Myth 5: Therapy
Myth: Therapy is only for white people. Truth: Therapy is for everyone, including people of color. The belief that therapy is only for white people contributes to many people of color not seeking the support they need, which can further exacerbate their mental health issues.
Myth 6: Couples Therapy
Myth: Couples therapy is only for unhappy couples. Truth: Couples therapy is for any relationship, including friendships, long-term relationships, new relationships, polyamorous relationships, queer relationships, and many more. Couples therapy is also for the maintenance of healthy functioning relationships as well as relationships that are going through a tough time.
Takeaways
There are many myths about mental health (even more than the ones listed here!). We all might hold some misinformed beliefs about mental health and therapy. However, it’s important that we take the time to unlearn these beliefs and get accurate information about them. Try reflecting on these questions: What misinformation or myths might you be holding onto? What was something you unlearned that was impactful to you? How do you challenge myths about mental health?
At Roamers Therapy, our psychotherapists are here to support you through anxiety, depression, trauma and relationship issues, race-ethnicity issues, LGBTQIA+ issues, ADHD, Autism, or any challenges you encounter. Our psychotherapists are trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Acceptance, and Commitment Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, and Gottman Therapy.
Whether you’re seeking guidance on a specific issue or need help navigating difficult emotions, we’re ready to assist you every step of the way.
Contact us today to learn more about our services and schedule a session with our mental health professionals to begin your healing journey. To get started with therapy, visit our booking page.
First, decide if you’ll be paying out-of-pocket or using insurance. If you’re a self-pay client, you can book directly through the “Book Now” page or fill out the “Self-Pay/Out-of-network Inquiry Form.” If you’re using insurance, fill out the “Insurance Verification Form” to receive details about your costs and availability. Please let us know your preferred therapist. If your preferred therapist isn’t available, you can join the waitlist by emailing us. Once your appointment is confirmed, you’ll receive intake documents to complete before your first session.
This page is also part of the Roamers Therapy Glossary; a collection of mental-health related definitions that are written by our therapists.
While our offices are currently located at the South Loop neighborhood of Downtown Chicago, Illinois, we also welcome and serve clients for online therapy from anywhere in Illinois and Washington, D.C. Clients from the Chicagoland area may choose in-office or online therapy and usually commute from surrounding areas such as River North, West Loop, Gold Coast, Old Town, Lincoln Park, Lake View, Rogers Park, Logan Square, Pilsen, Bridgeport, Little Village, Bronzeville, South Shore, Hyde Park, Back of the Yards, Wicker Park, Bucktown and many more. You can visit our contact page to access detailed information on our office location.