By Supriya Ramesh
Even with headlines celebrating mental-health wins, many still walk into therapy sessions carrying myths heavier than their symptoms. These myths feel reasonable, culturally familiar, and powerful enough to delay healing. Despite greater awareness, misinformation continues to thrive, sometimes dressed as well-meaning advice or inherited wisdom. Myth 1: Technology is the root of all mental health issues “Yes, doom-scrolling erodes attention,” says Shruti Padhye, Senior Psychologist at Mpower, Aditya Birla Education Trust, “yet teletherapy, AI chat support, and VR exposure tools now reach villages where psychiatrists are scarce.” She adds, “The problem isn鈥檛 screens; it鈥檚 guidance.” Instead of villainising technology, she suggests that we leverage it with care and support. Myth 2: Strong people don鈥檛 need therapy According to Padhye, this belief is common across all demographics. “I鈥檝e watched surgeons sob after decades of bottled grief. Therapy isn鈥檛 weakness; it鈥檚 skilled self-maintenance.” She explains that seeking help is not a sign of failure but an act of strength: 鈥淲orking on yourself is one of the brave steps one takes towards mental wellbeing.鈥 Myth 3: Children are too young for mental illness Padhye also says that many parents underestimate the emotional weight children carry today. 鈥淚 treat seven-year-olds with panic attacks shaped by cyberbullying and academic fear. Early care rewires futures; dismissal cements distress.鈥 Early intervention, she stresses, can change the trajectory of a child’s life. Myth 4: Medication should be a last resort This misconception spans generations. “Modern psychopharmacology targets symptoms precisely and often prevents suicide,” says Padhye. “Pills don鈥檛 cancel personality; they create space for it to return.” Myth 5: Burnout is just a time-management issue 鈥淏urnout stems less from calendars and more from emotional labour, blurred boundaries, and leaders who reward exhaustion,鈥 Padhye explains. She urges a shift in focus from productivity apps to psychological safety. 鈥淓ach myth sounds half-true, which makes it dangerous,鈥 she concludes. 鈥淚nside that sliver of plausibility, people postpone help, families fracture, and suffering deepens. My plea is simple: trade myth for mindful curiosity, replace stigma with science, and choose compassion over silent endurance.鈥 Adding to the conversation is Ashish Pillay, psychologist, who also sees how damaging these long-standing beliefs can be. 鈥淥ne of the biggest misconceptions is that therapy is only for 鈥榮erious鈥 problems,鈥 he says. 鈥淢any people wait until they鈥檙e overwhelmed before reaching out. In truth, therapy is also for growth, clarity, and learning how to cope.鈥 Myth 6: Talking about mental health is a sign of weakness 鈥淥n the contrary,鈥 says Pillay, 鈥渋t takes incredible strength to be honest about how you鈥檙e feeling. Vulnerability is not weakness鈥攊t鈥檚 courage.鈥 Myth 7: Medication is shameful or a shortcut Pillay compares it to physical health treatment. 鈥淛ust like insulin for diabetes, mental health medication can be life-saving. It鈥檚 not a shortcut鈥攊t鈥檚 part of a full, compassionate care plan.鈥 Myth 8: People with mental health issues 鈥榣ook鈥 a certain way 鈥淢any suffer silently behind smiles,鈥 Pillay adds. 鈥淧ain doesn鈥檛 always wear a label.鈥 Myth 9: You can 鈥榮nap out of it鈥 by thinking positively And finally, Pillay debunks the toxic positivity trap. 鈥淲e must stop telling people to 鈥榡ust be positive鈥 or 鈥榮nap out of it.鈥 Mental health struggles aren鈥檛 about attitude鈥攖hey鈥檙e about care, support, and healing.鈥