Mental Health Week is not only an opportunity to take care of yourself but also a chance to rethink what we know (or think we know) about mental health. One of the reasons many people don’t seek help in time is fear and shame, fueled by myths. Today, I will try to debunk the most common ones. Because understanding is the first step toward self-care. Because psychiatry is not a sentence, but support.

At the outpatient clinic of Nemyriv City Hospital, you can receive professional help from psychiatrist Iolanta Bohdanivna Savchenko.


Myth 1: “Only people with severe mental disorders see a psychiatrist.”
Truth: A psychiatrist is a doctor you can turn to for anxiety, depression, insomnia, panic attacks, burnout, eating disorders, and more. Just like people with high blood pressure go to a therapist without feeling ashamed, you should go to a psychiatrist when your mental state requires it.

Myth 2: “Antidepressants are addictive.”
Truth: Modern antidepressants do not cause addiction. They don’t work instantly, don’t cause euphoria, and cannot create dependency. They are prescribed only for clear indications, under constant supervision, and are gradually discontinued when no longer needed.

Myth 3: “The psychiatrist will immediately send me to a hospital.”
Truth: Hospitalization is a last resort — only when a person poses a danger to themselves or others and needs 24/7 care. In most cases, treatment is outpatient — with regular consultations and adjustments to supportive therapy.

Myth 4: “I’ll be put on a record, and it will ruin my life.”
Truth: Psychiatric care in Ukraine is confidential. The old notion of being “registered” is long gone. Most people receive help without any consequences for their education or career.

Myth 5: “I just need to pull myself together. It’s not serious — I’m just tired.”
Truth: Ignoring physical and emotional signals doesn’t make them less real. Chronic fatigue, anxiety, apathy, frequent mood swings — these are not signs of laziness or weakness, but symptoms that should be discussed with a professional.

Caring for mental health starts with the truth. The truth about yourself. The truth about the symptoms we’ve ignored for years. And — the truth about medical help that can change your life for the better. Psychiatry is not about “lifelong labels” — it’s about having the resources to cope with daily challenges and feeling alive.

As part of Mental Health Week, I urge you: “Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Don’t let myths control your life.”