Common Myths about Mental Illness

• Research indicates that people receiving treatment for a mental illness are no more violent or dangerous than the general population.¹ 
• People living with a mental illness are more likely to be victims of violence, especially self-harm. It has been calculated that the lifetime risk of someone with an illness such as schizophrenia seriously harming or killing another person is just .005%, while the risk of that person killing themselves is nearly 10%.² 
• There appears to be a weak statistical association between mental illness and violence. This seems to be concentrated in certain subgroups, for example – people not receiving treatment who have a history of violence, and those who abuse drugs or alcohol. 
• The correlation between episodes of violence in people experiencing mental illness is comparatively weaker than violent behaviour in the context of alcohol abuse and violent behaviour in young males between the ages of 15 and 25.³  

• Depending on the age of onset and the severity of the mental illness, generally speaking, most people will experience complete recovery, especially if they receive help early. Some people may require ongoing treatment to manage their illness. 
• Some people have only one episode of mental illness and recover fully. For others, episodes of mental illness occur occasionally with years of wellness between episodes. For a minority of those with a more severe illness, periods of acute illness will occur regularly and, without medication and effective management, leave little room for recovery. 
• Though some people experience significant disability as a result of a mental illness, many go on to live full and productive lives while receiving ongoing treatment. 

• There are many types of mental illnesses and many kinds of symptoms or effects. 
• Though a particular mental illness will tend to show a certain range of symptoms, not everyone will experience the same symptoms – for example many people with schizophrenia may hear voices, while others may not. 
• Simply knowing a person has a mental illness will not tell you how well or ill they are, what symptoms they are experiencing, or whether they may recover or manage the illness effectively. 
• Mental illnesses are not purely ‘psychological’ and can have many physical features. While a mental illness may affect a person’s thinking and emotions, it can also have strong physical effects such as insomnia, speech impediment, weight gain or loss, increase or loss of energy, chest pain and nausea. 

• Anyone can develop a mental illness and no one is immune to mental health problems. 
• People born in Australia have slightly higher rates of mental illness than those born outside Australia in either English-speaking or non English-speaking countries. 
• Many people from culturally and linguistically diverse and refugee backgrounds have experienced torture, trauma and enormous loss before coming to Australia. These experiences can cause significant psychological distress and vulnerability to mental illness. 
• Cultural background affects how people experience mental illness and how they understand and interpret the symptoms of mental illness.