Mental health stigma is preventing people from seeking out treatment – Neville

Fine Gael Party Chairperson, and President of the Irish Association of Suicidology, Dan Neville TD, speaking in the Dáil on disability services, called for action against the stigma associated with mental illness.

“Mental illness is not a disability , but there is a stigma attached to mental illness that was seen in the past in relation to disability. Thankfully, there is a growing acceptance of people with disabilities, but the hurtful and isolating stigma around mental health remains a huge problem that must be addressed.

“ In September 2012, St. Patrick’s Hospital, Dublin conducted research on how the general public perceive people with mental health problems.

·          20% of those surveyed believed those with mental health problems were of below average intelligence

·          40% considered that seeking help for a mental health problem was a sign of personal failure

·          66% expressed a reluctance to hire a person with a mental health problem, believing them to be unreliable.

·          30% would not be willing to accept somebody with a mental health problem as a close friend

“These figures are frightening, especially when you consider those surveyed are likely to have underestimated their views as people often try to be overly positive in studies such as these.

“Research conducted by Amnesty International confirms the reality of mental health stigma as those who have suffered, or were suffering, said they have experienced unfair treatment, the majority of those asked said they had concealed problems, stopped working and distanced themselves from close relationships.

“Mental health stigma is a reality and it is an inhibitor for those suffering to seek out treatment or to talk about their feelings. We must tackle negative labels for people who suffer from an illness over which they have no control. All of us need to be conscious of how we describe people. ‘Headcase’, ‘soft in the head’, ‘barmy’, ‘not the full shilling’; these are the labels we use and we need to challenge the use of labels just as we did with regard to those with a disability .

“Resources such as the See Change website are very effective in tackling the stigmas associated with mental health but the real battle begins with each individual in their outlook and their actions towards others.

“I have been involved in this area since 1990, when I was a Member of the Seanad and campaigned to decriminalise suicide, which we achieved in 1993. There has been progress in attitudes towards mental health but we are coming from a very low base. On a continuum from zero to ten, we are at two or three. There is no doubt that we have a long way to go in dealing with the issue.

“I am pleased that we are talking about mental health stigma but we need to do more than talk. Each of us in our everyday lives can and should take action against stigma.”