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.