Ask Abeceder a question.
Visit the Abeceder shop for our collection of business related books, and audio-visual resources
|
Abeceder Shop transactions are processed by:
The Abeceder Shop accepts:
Abeceder is a member of:
|
|
 |
News Review
The Abeceder press review highlights stories from around the world.
Send Us Your News
If you would like to send us a new item, please complete our online form.
Attitudes to mental health remain sympatheic - 12-05-2008 |
Public attitudes in England towards people with mental health problems remain broadly sympathetic, according to a new survey by the Department of Health.
The public is generally understanding of people with mental health problems, with 85% thinking they deserve our sympathy and more than 8 out of 10 saying society needs to be more tolerant towards them.
A number of attitudes that worsened during the nineties have since started to improve:
- 10% fewer agreed that it is frightening to think of people with mental health problems living in residential neighbourhoods compared with 1999
- The percentage agreeing that locating mental health facilities in a residential area downgrades the area has fallen from 29% in 1997 to 20%
- 5% fewer agreed that a person should be hospitalised as soon as they shows signs of mental disturbance compared with 1997
There are also some signs that fears about coming into contact with psychiatric patients, which worsened during the nineties, have started to lessen again.
About one in six people feel frightened thinking of people with mental health problems living in residential neighbourhoods, having dropped back to the same level as in 1994 after peaking at one in four in 1997.
Health Minister Ivan Lewis said:
"Most people hold reasonable views about mental illness. But the attitudes of a stubborn minority reflect enduring prejudices that should not be acceptable in today's society.
"People simply should not be discriminated against just because they have a mental health problem, any more than they should on grounds of race, sexual orientation, gender or physical disability.
"The reality is that many of us - or someone we care for - are bound to be affected by mental health problems at some point. But there remains a climate of fear and rejection that can prevent people from seeking the help they need. As a Government, we are committed to breaking down these barriers."
The survey also showed that since 1994, a number of attitudes have worsened:
- 9% fewer respondents favoured a more tolerant attitude in society towards people with mental illness
- 7% fewer respondents thought that those with mental health problems were deserving of sympathy
- 57% agreed those with mental health problems are "far less of a danger than most people supposed", a drop of 5%.
Shift, a Department of Health-funded campaign, is working to reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness by encouraging the media to improve its coverage of mental health issues and helping employers to recruit and retain people with mental health problems.
| Care Services Improvement Partnership
|
View our editorial policy click here.
|
|
|
