Up to 40pc of us would hide mental health issues from friends & family

Research has revealed that almost 40 per cent of people would hide a mental health problem from family and friends.

The study was conducted by See Change, ‘an alliance of organisations’ that work together under the National Stigma Reduction Partnership to change people attitudes and behavior towards mental health issues.

Almost 1,000 adults were asked various questions about their own mental health and their attitudes towards others. 

According to RTÉ,  66 per cent of those surveyed said they would be willing to work with someone who suffered a mental health problem, while just over half said they could live with someone who struggled with the issue.

One in seven people surveyed admitted that they would put off treatment for a mental health problem over fears that others would find out. This opinion was particularly prevalent in young males and those under 35.

Although the figures are nowhere near where they need to be, John Saunders, CEO of See Change, has said that the stigma around mental health is beginning to break down with more and more people willing to open up and talk about their issues.