The following quiz can usefully be used as part of disability awareness training to counter some of the common myths about mental illness.
- Is mental illness inherited? (It can be, but not always)
- There is a high incidence of violence in people diagnosed as schizophrenic - True or False? (False)
- People who talk about suicide are not likely to go on to do it - True or False? (False - most people who commit suicide told someone within last 2 months)
- Men are more likely than women to attempt suicide (False)
- What proportion of people are said to experience mental health problems?
- a) 1 in 8,
- b) 1 in 4, (Correct)
- c) 1 in 6?
- What percentage of G.P. consultations are for Mental Health problems?
- a) 30%
- b) 50%
- c) 25% (Correct)
- Drugs such as cannabis and ecstasy can increase the risk of panic attacks and other anxiety disorders? (True)
- At what age is mental illness most likely to occur? (16-25 and over 65)
- Which profession has the highest suicide rate? (Doctors – in particular GPs)
Adapted from a Student Psychological Health Project report.