WIREDGOV

The third national Scottish survey of public attitudes to mental health, mental wellbeing and mental health problems was published today.

The Well? What do you think? survey examines the views and experiences of a representative sample of adults in Scotland in relation to a range of mental health issues.

The survey is commissioned by the Scottish Government and is run every second year. It includes a six page research findings summary.

Main findings

People in Scotland are generally healthy, satisfied with where they live, feel connected with others and in control of their lives. They are becoming more aware of mental health (mental wellbeing) and of some mental illness issues.

However, people with experience of mental health problems are less likely than others to feel they have people they can rely on in times of personal difficulty.

People who have difficulty managing on low incomes and people who live in deprived areas are the most likely to experience poor physical and mental health, and poor mental wellbeing.

Attitudes to mental health problems are generally improving - most of the gains made in 2004 have been consolidated.

However, there is still more work to be done to foster more public understanding of, and tolerance towards, mental health problems and mental illness .

In particular, the public have poor understanding of psychoses, especially schizophrenia.

Although mental health problems are more common in areas of greater social and economic deprivation, attitudes to mental ill-health are poorer in such areas.

Self-stigmatisation and fear of rejection are important issues. The survey makes it clear that people limit their own behaviour because of the way they think others will react to their mental health problem.