There are many negative stereotypes about mental illness. Some of the most commonly held misconceptions include the following:

People with mental illness are all potentially violent and dangerous
Individuals with mental illness as a group are no more violent than other members of the general population. They are more likely to be victims of violence than the perpetrators. Despite sensationalized media portrayals, violence among people with mental illness is rare.

People with mental illness are somehow responsible for their condition
Mental illness is an illness and is treatable like any other disease. It has nothing to do with willpower, and people cannot just “pull up their socks” and “get over it”. People do not choose to have a mental illness.

People do not recover from mental illness
Mental illness rarely causes someone to be continuously ill. With the right kind of help, many people with mental illness do recover and go on to lead healthy, productive and satisfying lives. While the illness may not go away, the symptoms associated with it can be controlled. Medication, counselling and psychosocial rehabilitation are treatment options that can help people recover from mental illness. People also report that having someone who believes in them, access to social support, and having meaningful daily activity also contribute to their recovery. Most students who are ill can successfully return to school and live normal productive lives given treatment and support.

People with mental illness lack intellectual capability
Mental illness is often confused with cognitive impairment or developmental disability. Mental illness does not affect an individual’s intellectual capacity. People with mental illness usually have average intelligence.

People with mental illness cannot handle stress
The way a person responds to stress is highly individual. What is stressful for one person may not be for another. Students with mental illness have many effective coping strategies much like any other student.

Mental illness is something to be embarrassed about
Because mental illness is highly stigmatized in our society, many people feel it is a cause for embarrassment. As we increasingly embrace the reality that mental illness is no different than any other kind of illness, this myth will likely diminish.

Mental illness is a private affair
Many people believe mental illness should not be discussed in personal or professional settings. Being an open, actively involved and informed support for a student with mental illness can be an important part of their success in school and support for the family.

Impact of Stigma

The Canadian Youth Mental Health Survey (1993) found that depression, stress, suicide and eating disorders are issues of concern for teens, and that fear, embarrassment, peer pressure and stigma are barriers to getting help.

The term stigma refers to the labeling or perception of certain attributes, traits or disorders as shameful, or unacceptably different from those of “normal” people. The stigma, misconceptions and stereotypes surrounding mental illness often result in discriminatory behaviours and practices, and these can be just as hard for young people to deal with as the symptoms of the mental health problem or illness itself.

Stigma can create a barrier that discourages individuals and their families from getting the help they need due to the fear of discrimination. Stigma is a barrier that prevents many students from disclosing their mental illness in a school setting.

Stigma can lead some staff and faculty in high schools, colleges and universities to question whether students living with a mental illness can handle academic pressure, or if they’ll be able to pursue their education beyond high school. They may be concerned about disruptive behaviours in their classroom, or the effects of medication on students’ academic performance.

It is very important that students’ potential for participation and achievement in high school not be limited by mistaken and stereotypical ideas of mental illness. That’s why this website includes sections for school staff as well as parents and students, and provides practical ideas for supports and accommodations that can help students with mental health problems achieve success.