Why Saying "Therapy is for the Weak" is a Harmful Myth

This phrase has been whispered behind closed doors for ages. This is not just spoken around, it is used as a joke in films and even casually dropped in conversations. However common this phrase is, it is nothing but a false belief. Not just that, it is also harmful. In India, and also in the world around, this myth increases the stigma around mental health, stopping thousands of people from taking their first steps towards seeking help they genuinely need.

Let's talk about why this stereotype exists and what is so problematic about it. Let us change the narrative from "Therapy is for the weak" to "Therapy is a sign of courage- not weakness."

Where does this Myth come from?

In many cultures- including India, there is a deep-rooted belied that it is weak to seek help. It is seen as a sign of great strength to handle everything on your own. Now this could be family stress, burnout from work, emotional pain, burden of caregiving.........you are expected to "deal with it" all alone, quietly. Therefore, seeking help for your mental health issues is looked down upon.

Adding to this there is:

• A lack of mental health literacy.

• Media portrayals that depict therapy as a last resort. There are also scenes where only cases which are extremely severe reach to that point.

• Gender norms that discourage emotional expression, especially for men.

.........and you get a culture where therapy is seen as a failure, rather than a lifeline.

What Therapy Really Is

Therapy is a collaborative process between the client and the therapist. It is where one receives help regarding issues of mental health from a trained professional.

• Things you can expect to do in therapy are:

• Understand your thoughts and emotions

• Process trauma, grief and stress

• Learn healthy coping mechanisms

• Improve your relationship and communication patterns

• Build self-awareness and resilience

In all, therapy is about growth, insight and healing. All these things are way too far from being weak pursuits. It requires vulnerability, honesty and inner strength.

Let's learn with a Real Life Scenario

Ritu, a 29 year old teacher was struggling with anxiety after the pandemic. Her relatives always told her, "You are too emotional." They discouraged her from going to therapy. But she went to a session anyway!

Three months into the therapy, Ritu learnt setting healthy boundaries, breathing techniques, and other ways to get in touch with her emotions and regulate them. Today, she manages stress more confidently- not because she is weak, but because she took charge of her healing.

Hence saying "Therapy is for the Weak" is a Harmful Myth.

Why is it Important to bust the Myth

This belief that 'Therapy is for the weak' is outdated and dangerous. It keeps people suffering in silence rather than taking charge of their issues and change.

Young adults are seen to avoid therapy due to the fear of being judged.

Men suppress emotions due to the fear of appearing "too soft"

Parents ignore children's emotional struggles, dismiss them as "phases"

Women with mental health concerns are told they are "just having hormonal imbalance"

Couples grow distant and struggle with issues rather than taking help in dealing with them.

Therapy is Strength, Not Surrender

It takes strength to actually say, "I need help." It takes courage to show up to therapy, to confront your past, and to do the uncomfortable work of healing. And that's what therapy is: a safe space for growth, not a label of weakness.

We don't consider someone who goes to the gym or someone who goes to the doctor when sick as weak. So, the notion of calling someone weak for seeking mental health related help should also stop.

Ready to change the conversation around mental health?

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