Mentally ill: 60% wait a year or more to get help

MORE than six out of 10 people with a mental health illness experienced symptoms for more than a year before getting help, a survey has shown.

It also found that patients experienced an overwhelmingly negative reaction to a mental illness diagnosis — more than half said they felt afraid; 40% felt ashamed and 30% were embarrassed.

The study, commissioned by St Patrick’s Hospital in Dublin as part of Mental Health Awareness Week, found there was a general lack of awareness of mental health issues. One in four patients claimed others did not understand mental illness. The issue was more contentious for younger patients, who were concerned their illness was perceived as attention-seeking.

The IMS Millward Brown research found most people with a mental illness were unlikely to discuss it with friends or colleagues. The main reasons for not discussing their mental illness was the stigma associated with it, lack of understanding of the condition and embarrassment.

St Patrick’s Hospital said the research highlighted the need for an improved effort to combat stigma and increase awareness and understanding of mental illness.

Medical director Dr Jim Lucey said, like every other illness, mental illness needed early intervention.

Hospital chief executive Paul Gilligan said it was crucial more was done to educate and inform people about mental illness.

St Patrick’s Hospital is campaigning to combat the stigmatisation of mental illness and to ensure that those suffering from mental illness are fully included in Irish society and their rights are acknowledged.