Public ‘is broadly sympathetic’ towards mental illness

A Department of Health (DoH) survey has found that, despite a slight increase in fear and prejudice, the general public in England remains broadly sympathetic to patients with mental illness.

The questionnaire found that nearly nine out of ten people believe mental health patients deserve sympathy, while four in five have called for increase tolerance from society towards the mentally ill.

Furthermore, nine in ten people believe that it is incumbent upon society to provide the best possible healthcare to patients with mental illness, while four out of five people disagree with the notion that mental health patients are a burden upon society.

A DoH-funded campaign, Shift, is currently working to promote the improved coverage of mental health issues in the media and to improve the recruitment of the mentally ill as a means to reduce the discrimination and stigma related to such conditions.

Ivan Lewis, health minister, said: “Although, reassuringly, many people still hold balanced, reasonable views about mental illness, the attitudes of a significant minority reflect prejudices that should be as unacceptable as racism in a modern, civilised society.”

He added that mental illness is more commonplace than is realised by many, with the condition often misunderstood.

In September 2006, a Healthcare Commission report claimed that mental health patients are being failed by poor access to out-of-hours care and other health services.