There are a lot of misunderstandings and misconceptions about mental health. Here are some of them:

·         Mental health concerns affect only certain people.

·         If we have a mental health concern, it means something is wrong with us.

·         Having a mental health concern or diagnosis is weird and embarrassing.

·         Whatever your mental health concern is, you’re the only one experiencing it.

·         You can’t get better.

All of these statements are false. 

Mental health means anything related to feelings. Who all has feelings? Every human being on the planet. So then…who has mental health needs and concerns? Every human being on the planet. This includes you. Now, let’s look at some facts about mental health:

·         It is a normal and inevitable part of life.

·         Like any other health concern, mental health needs range in severity. Common mental health diagnoses include depression, anxiety and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. More severe mental health concerns include a bipolar diagnosis, a personality disorder diagnosis, or a schizophrenia spectrum diagnosis, for example.

·         Mental health diagnoses are treatable and can be managed.

·         Counseling/therapy is about challenging yourself to learn, grow, and make healthy changes you want to see in your life.

·         We need to radically change how we understand, relate to, and talk about mental health.

If you have any questions or feedback, please contact me at ext. 6553 or charlotte_gruber@ykhc.org. Thank you!

Charlotte Gruber, LCSW ACT Department in the Outpatient Clinics