5 Common Mental Health Myths You Should Stop Believing

Mental health is part of being human. Just like your body can get tired or sick, your mind can too. But unfortunately, there are still so many harmful myths about mental health that make it hard for people to open up or seek help.

Some people think mental health issues only happen to “lazy” people. Others say it’s just for the rich or that it means you're weak. These ideas are wrong and dangerous. They create shame and silence around something that should be treated like any other health issue.

Let’s talk about some of the most common myths and the truth behind them.

1.  “Mental health problems mean you're weak.”

This is one of the most common and harmful beliefs. Many people assume that struggling mentally means you don’t have inner strength or that you’re not “strong enough to handle life.”

But that’s far from the truth.

Mental health challenges can affect anyone, even the strongest, most hardworking people. In fact, it takes a lot of strength to live through anxiety, depression, burnout, or trauma and still keep going. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness—it’s a sign of courage.

2.  “It’s just laziness.”

This myth shows up especially when someone is struggling to get out of bed, focus, or do basic tasks. It might look like laziness from the outside, but what you’re seeing could be depression, anxiety, or burnout. Mental health conditions can make everyday tasks feel heavy. Getting out of bed, brushing your teeth, or replying to a message might feel overwhelming. That’s not laziness. That’s someone trying their best while their mind and emotions are under pressure.

Instead of judging, try asking: What’s really going on underneath?

3. “Mental health is for rich or ‘oyinbo’ people”

Mental health doesn’t depend on your wallet, race, background, or location. You don’t need to be rich, white, or living in a fancy city to experience mental health struggles or to deserve support.

Whether you’re a student, a driver, a businesswoman, or a stay-at-home parent, mental health matters; everyone deserves to feel well emotionally, mentally, and physically. Mental health services should be for everyone, and part of our everyday conversations.

4.  “People just want attention.”

Another harmful belief is that people who speak about their mental health just want attention. The truth is, many people stay quiet for fear of being judged or misunderstood.

Opening up about your mental health can be incredibly hard. When someone talks about what they’re feeling, it’s not for show, it’s usually a cry for support. And if they don’t talk, people ask, “Why didn’t they say something?” Let’s stop making people feel guilty either way.

Instead of calling it “attention-seeking,” let’s call it support-seeking.

5.  “You can just snap out of it”.

Mental health struggles aren’t something you can fix by “cheering up” or “thinking positively.” If it were that easy, no one would be struggling.

Healing takes time. It may involve rest, therapy, medication, new habits, and patience. You wouldn’t tell someone sick with the flu to “just get over it,” so why say that to someone battling depression or anxiety?

Be kind to yourself and others. Recovery is a journey, not a quick fix.

These myths don’t just hurt, they silence people. They stop people from speaking up, reaching out, or even admitting when they’re struggling. It’s time to change that.

Mental health is not a luxury or a weakness. It’s part of our everyday well-being. Just like we take care of our bodies, we need to take care of our minds. Your mental health is just as important as your physical health.

And most importantly: You don’t need to wait until you're “falling apart” to ask for help. If you are struggling with any mental health issue, reach out to a licensed mental health therapist for support. You deserve support simply because you’re human.