Stigma around mental health has dropped during virus lockdown... for some

THE stigma around mental health has dropped as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown in Scotland, but the fear of speaking up has risen for some, it has been revealed.

See Me, the national programme in Scotland to end mental health discrimination, said people with experience of mental health problems reported the stigma they experience from others has lessened during the Covid pandemic.

However, the global health crisis has stopped some from saying they are struggling, according to the research, released for World Mental Health Day today.

See Me said that social media and other sources had made its volunteers feel “guilty” over their mental health struggle as others are also suffering due to the pandemic.

They said that, because everyone is experiencing effects from the pandemic, some felt unable to tell anyone how they feel.

Having more time to think in isolation has also led some to feel “shame and guilt”.

However, many also feel the wider stigma around mental health has gone down, as more people struggle with their mental health and understand the impact.

See Me spoke to supporters on their experiences during lockdown, and found that 41per cent feel the stigma they experience towards their mental health had decreased during lockdown.

However, 28% said it had increased, most commonly from family members, online, from health care professionals and in their employment.

Some 54% said the self stigma they felt around their mental health had increased.

Wendy Halliday, See Me director, said: “See Me welcomes the focus of this year’s World Mental Health Day, Mental Health For All. It provides a great opportunity to reinforce that we all have mental health, we all could experience mental health problems at different times of our lives and that we all need to understand mental health better so no one feels ashamed or is treated differently as a result of their mental health.

“As a result of the pandemic more people are paying attention to their mental health. Many of us have had to put in place measures to improve our wellbeing and prevent mental health challenges from escalating.

“We have seen more people reaching out for support for the first time which is great.

“At See Me we are concerned that this is not the case for all. Too many people are still struggling alone and are fearful or unable to reach out to get the support they deserve.

“Many people who had pre-existing mental health conditions are facing additional challenges at this time, particularly in education, in work and when seeking work, when trying to access care for their either physical and mental health needs and when reaching out to family and community and other sources of support. Many people have shared they feel alone, cut off and increasingly isolated.”