Individuals with mental illnesses must deal with a double burden – coping with both their disorders as well as dealing with people’s negative attitudes toward mental illness. Myths surrounding people living with mental health challenges are just as inaccurate and dehumanizing as those of racial minorities, people with physical and developmental disabilities, and people from other diverse groups.
Most people learn what they know about mental illness from the media. Radio, television and newspaper accounts show people with mental health problems as violent, criminal, dangerous and incompetent. These unfavorable stories of mental health challenges continue to perpetuate the myths that surround mental illness.
