In a recent survey conducted by the National Mental Health Association the following mistaken beliefs were reported about the causes of mental illness:
· 71 percent thought mental illness was caused by emotional weakness.
· 65 percent believed mental illness was caused by bad parenting.
· 35 percent felt mental illness was caused by sinful or immoral behavior.
· 43 percent thought people bring on their mental illness in some way.
"The reality is that mental illnesses are linked to brain chemistry, heredity, stress, and abuse of legal and illegal drugs," said Besty Schwartz, executive director of the Mental Health Association of Greater Houston
"Mental illness is a brain disorder," she said. "It is as real as cancer, heart disease and diabetes, and it is highly treatable with therapy and medication."
