'I'm a counsellor and these are the five biggest myths about mental health'

Recovery is not possible in your situation

This is probably the most common myth I hear. It’s simply not true. Yes, some people might have to live with a condition for the rest of their life. But many are able to manage that and have a much better life.

From my own personal and professional experience, I have learnt and believe that recovery from a mental health issue is not only possible, but also sustainable.

Recovery is not the finishing line you get to at the end of a race - it is a process to go through and an understanding to arrive at.

It is an acceptance by the sufferer of who they are and how they want to live, and it is rarely achievable without a lot of effort, support, perseverance, determination, and hard work, through setbacks and obstacles.

You will be on and off medication for the rest of your life

At the moment we are seeing record numbers of prescriptions for medication being dished out by doctors and clinicians to try and treat mental health disorders.

For some, medication can be a vital way to help manage the symptoms of a condition and put them on the road to recovery.

But too many people are put on medication for too long and get trapped in a cycle of thinking they have to come on and off for the rest of their life.

In reality, the addition of other support tools like talking therapy, CBT and lifestyle changes at the same time as medication, can help ensure you won’t need to remain on and off medication forever.

You’ve got nothing to be depressed about

Even in 2024, people are still being told this when they ask for help. It always dismays me when I hear patients telling me they think that, or that they’ve been told that.

Anyone can suffer from mental ill health: it doesn’t discriminate and it doesn’t pick and choose. That’s why it’s so important celebrities like Frank Bruno have spoken out so bravely in recent years about their own personal battles.

You can exercise your troubles away

Now, I need to say from the get-go that exercise is a vital part of recovery. For many, being active and boosting physical activity can be the most effective way to get back on the road to recovery.

But, equally, exercise alone might not be enough. Be sure to factor in rest and leisure time and if you are still not feeling as you’d like to then don’t hesitate to reach out for support.

Many sufferers also over-exercise which can be a dangerous cycle to get into.

Help is available 

Really? Again and again we are told this, most often by the Government. Help is available but, sadly, that help is very hard to find or get access to.

Many people I meet, treat and talk to have been waiting more than two years to access treatment. That’s one of the reasons why mental health awareness week is so important: it’s an opportunity to raise awareness of many of the issues surrounding this area, and the biggest one right now is the lack of available support.

We urgently need to address it so that people can get help. Please remember that recovery, whatever that is and however it looks for you is always possible, and my mantra is 'never accept that this is as good as it gets, as it can always get better’.