Attitudes to mental health

Surely this is largely the fault of the media (especially the trashier papers) who make a point of telling us all mentally ill people are dangerous loonies. How many people even think something 'harmless' (to the neighbours) like depression is a mental illness?

Personally I think that in recent years people who were a little bit aware of mental health issues have now become very aware. People are looking after their own wellbeing more in the last 10 years so it might take a bit longer before they notice other people around them more and become more open minded and willing to learn.

I do think its got worse, I have someone who lives in my road with mental health issues and they describes him as a nut-case, mad-man, and lots more. They told me this cos i just moved in to the road, but i myself have mental health issues, so don't think they will be talking to me for long. shallow minds they have.

HI. Personally I don't think attitudes have got worse despite the apparent DH evidence to the contrary. I believe it is likely that increased exposure to new media, use of the internet etc. may have made people more aware and more tolerant. I wonder what the DH sample size was in both years and other things such as how the question was worded, sampling frame etc. Also, 1 in 10 is better than I would have guessed! Matt

Hello, I'm new to the membership website and also the NHS as I shall be starting my post at Bethlem Royal Hospital around the end of the month after I've had my occupational health appointment. Anyway, I thought I would say hello and hoepfully add something relevent to the discussion. In reference to whether attitudes towards mental health have worsened in recent years, unfortunately I would have to say yes, or at least in the context of the media. For example, just a couple of weeks ago I was passing my local newsagents and the caption on the newstand outside said "Schizophrenic allowed to take black cab test". Now, when I researched this further it turns out that the individual concerned was actually designated schizophrenic in remission and has been clear of symptoms with no sign of relapse for well over 6 months. Now for me, this shows a rather insensitive outlook from the newspaper and also, as the headline was obviously meant to shock the reader, it shows how uninformed the general public are on mental health issues. I certainly think that a lot more is being done to change attitudes about mental health and it is certainly in the public consciousness more currently, however, we still have a long way to go before people are enlightened about the issue.