Mental health leaves friends lost for words
Three quarters of people (75%) who have experienced a mental health problem say they have lost friendships as a result of their illness, according to a survey commissioned by Time to Change - England’s biggest mental health anti-stigma programme.
Talking openly with friends is an important part of many people’s lives, yet having a conversation about mental health seems to be a step too far for many of us. Findings show that 40% of British adults would feel awkward talking to a friend who was experiencing a mental health problem. And, only around a quarter (27%) feel it would be their responsibility to bring the subject up if they knew a friend was going through a tough time with their mental health.
Due to the stigma around mental illness, many people shy away from supporting someone they know who might be experiencing one. Forty-two per cent admit they don’t feel they know enough about mental health problems to talk to a friend going through one, and one in five confess they wouldn’t know what to say.
Furthermore, 21% of people feel that talking openly about it might make their friend’s situation worse. The study also reveals that 62% of British adults know someone who has experienced a mental health problem.
These findings were released as Time to Change launches its latest campaign - It’s time to talk. It’s time to change - to encourage the nation to start a conversation around mental health. It aims to remove the awkwardness around mental health by focusing on the small steps we can all take to support someone experiencing a mental health problem.
Time to Change Director Sue Baker said: 'These findings show that despite many people knowing someone with a mental health problem, they still don’t feel equipped with enough knowledge to be a supportive friend. The misconceptions that still surround those of us with mental health problems make people worry about offending or embarrassing someone, or saying or doing the wrong thing. So people avoid seeing their friends or speaking to them, when in fact these are the very things that can be helpful. You don’t have to be an expert to start a conversation about mental health.
'Being a supportive friend can include small gestures like sending a quick text or email, or an invitation to meet up. It’s time we encouraged people to talk more openly and for mental health to stop being a part of life people are too ashamed or embarrassed to talk about.'
Talking openly with friends is an important part of many people’s lives, yet having a conversation about mental health seems to be a step too far for many of us. Findings show that 40% of British adults would feel awkward talking to a friend who was experiencing a mental health problem. And, only around a quarter (27%) feel it would be their responsibility to bring the subject up if they knew a friend was going through a tough time with their mental health.
Due to the stigma around mental illness, many people shy away from supporting someone they know who might be experiencing one. Forty-two per cent admit they don’t feel they know enough about mental health problems to talk to a friend going through one, and one in five confess they wouldn’t know what to say.
Furthermore, 21% of people feel that talking openly about it might make their friend’s situation worse. The study also reveals that 62% of British adults know someone who has experienced a mental health problem.
These findings were released as Time to Change launches its latest campaign - It’s time to talk. It’s time to change - to encourage the nation to start a conversation around mental health. It aims to remove the awkwardness around mental health by focusing on the small steps we can all take to support someone experiencing a mental health problem.
Time to Change Director Sue Baker said: 'These findings show that despite many people knowing someone with a mental health problem, they still don’t feel equipped with enough knowledge to be a supportive friend. The misconceptions that still surround those of us with mental health problems make people worry about offending or embarrassing someone, or saying or doing the wrong thing. So people avoid seeing their friends or speaking to them, when in fact these are the very things that can be helpful. You don’t have to be an expert to start a conversation about mental health.
'Being a supportive friend can include small gestures like sending a quick text or email, or an invitation to meet up. It’s time we encouraged people to talk more openly and for mental health to stop being a part of life people are too ashamed or embarrassed to talk about.'