Mental Health Myths

KIDS WILL BE KIDS
JUST SNAP OUT OF IT
ITS JUST THE BLUES
THEY'RE JUST WEAK
WE CAN'T AFFORD IT

KIDS WILL BE KIDS

Myth: Teenagers don't suffer from "real" mental illnesses — they are just moody.
Fact : One in five teens has some type of mental health problem in a given year.
— National Institute of Mental Health/Harvard University Study June 2005

Myth: Talk about suicide is an idle threat that need not be taken seriously.
Fact : Suicide is the third leading cause of death among high school students and the second leading cause of death in college students. Talk about suicide should always be taken seriously.
— Jed Foundation

Myth: Childhood mental health problems are really the result of poor parenting.
Fact : If someone in your family has a mental illness, then you may have a greater chance of developing the illness, but mental illness generally has little or nothing to do with parenting.
— Surgeon General's Report on Mental Health

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