Cliché #131: the misrepresentation of mental illnesses (especially depression and self harm)

Mallory felt so depressed at the moment because her boyfriend of 2 years broke up with her. She wanted to kill herself! This was the final straw. She grabbed a knife and cut her wrists, feeling all depressed and stuff.

Twenty minutes later, she felt much better and went on with her life.

I get so pissed off by these things. Mental illness is not a joke, nor is it easy to live with one. Unfortunately, there are a good amount of books that exist that make it seem as if living with illnesses such as depression are something you can turn on and off whenever you want. At my worst points, mental illnesses have made my life a living hell, and I know it's had this effect on millions of other people.