Depression Clinic

Stigma still a problem in mental illness

A new survey has found that one-third of people believe that those suffering from mental health problems are of below average intelligence.

A further third of respondents to the St Patrick's private psychiatric hospital survey stated that they would not willingly accept someone with a mental health problem as a close friend.

Forty per cent of those surveyed said they would discriminate against hiring someone with a history of mental illness on the grounds that they may be unreliable and 40% felt that undergoing treatment for a mental health problem is a sign of personal failure.

The survey was carried out among 187 members of the public and among focus groups.

Paul Gilligan, CEO of St Patrick's, said stigma remains a major hurdle for people accessing mental health services.

The survey was carried out to mark World Mental Health Day tomorrow (October 10).

The hospital is also launching information leaflets on eating disorders and managing your mental health in difficult times.

Meanwhile, the Irish Mental Health Coalition (IMHC) has said mental health reform must be central to the Government response to our current economic and social difficulties.

The IMHC said restricting spending to cost savings on mental health services will not necessarily lead to cost savings.

In its pre-Budget submission, the IMHC says cutting investment in mental health services is a false economy and will have long-term consequences.

"It would be counterproductive to make cuts in mental health spending at a time when the number of people with mental health problems is increasing," said John Saunders, Chairman of the IMHC.

"Unemployment and debt are both major risk factors for developing mental health provlems and the current economic reality will see an incresing demand on a service which is already struggling," he said.

He was speaking ahead of World Mental Health Day.

Visit irishhealth.com's Depression Clinic here

View our interview with John Saunders of the IMHC here