‘More needs to be done to tackle the stigma we are facing’
Experiencing a mental health problem can be upsetting, confusing and frightening. But many people’s conditions continue to be exacerbated by the public stigma attached to them, as Mind Cymru reports.
ONE in four people in Wales will experience a form of mental illness at some point in their lives. Despite great strides being made in reducing the stigma around such conditions, discrimination remains a crucial barrier to people opening up and seeking help.
Mind Cymru, on behalf of the Time to Change Wales campaign, surveyed 600 people in Wales about how they felt their mental health impacted on their relationships with friends and family.
It found that more than half (57%) felt unfairly treated by friends and partners, while 46% said they were treated unfairly by their family.
Similarly, the survey also showed that 43% of people felt they were treated unfairly in their day-to-day life, while 58% felt unfairly treated in their social life.
Laura Moulding, a Time to Change Wales champion, lives in Cardiff and has severe depression with psychotic symptoms.
She said: “I’ve been treated badly by both friends and romantic partners in the past.
“One friend told me that people with mental health problems would get nowhere in life and should just give up.
“An ex-partner told me I should never have children because of my mental health problems, and added that I should ‘just stop being depressed.’
“It’s clear that although more people are talking about the importance of good mental health, more needs to be done to tackle the stigma we are facing.”
Time to Change Wales is the only national campaign specifically aimed at ending stigma and discrimination faced by people with mental health problems.
It aims to improve knowledge and understanding of mental illness and, most importantly of all, get people talking about mental health.
The campaign is rooted in evidence that sharing experiences and life stories by those who have had mental health problems, and who are properly enabled and supported to do so, lead to transformational changes in attitudes.
Another Time to Change Wales champion, Bethan Rees from Caerphilly, has recently been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder.
She said: “Before receiving an official diagnosis, some family members/friends just thought I was being dramatic or miserable.
“There were comments about the way I was behaving and the way I treated people.
“My previous partner didn’t know how to deal with me and told me I overreacted to certain things. In the end, we separated because he couldn’t understand and didn’t know how to help me.
“After receiving my diagnosis of borderline personality disorder and talking to the world about it, people now realise why I acted the way that I did and now understand a bit better.
“My current partner has been fantastic and is open to learning as much as he can about my mental illness.”
June Jones, campaign lead at Time to Change Wales, said talking openly about your mental health problems can bring comfort to themselves and others. She said: “Nine out of 10 people with mental health problems experience stigma and discrimination of some sort.
“It’s not surprising that many people find it difficult to talk about their mental health, which is why it’s so important for family and friends to be supportive when they do.
“Loneliness and a lack of friendships can contribute to mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression, so taking opportunities to share worries and problems can be invaluable.
“Breaking down stigma in these situations is vital to help people feel able to talk about their problems.”
Simon Jones, head of policy and influencing at Mind Cymru, added: “Tackling stigma and encouraging people to talk about their mental health is a crucial first step to improving the mental health of the nation.
“However, once people recognise they need help then that should be available quickly and as close to their community as possible.
“We know that there can be long waits for some psychological therapies both to be assessed and then to start treatment.
“This leads to a situation where people’s mental health is deteriorating while they are waiting for support.”
Mr Jones said access to talking therapies in Wales differs depending on where you live.
A survey carried out by Mind Cymru showed that 57% of people faced a wait of more than three months just to get an assessment with the service.
“Shockingly, 21% faced a wait of more than a year to be assessed,” he added.
“Moreover, after being offered therapy following an assessment, 50% of people had to wait more than three months to receive their first session, with 24% waiting for over a year.
“We have consistently campaigned for improved access and investment into mental health services, and while there has been some new investment we need to see this delivering on the ground, in communities right across Wales.
“Tackling stigma is important and needs to be complemented by a range of services that can help people move forward and lead fulfilled lives.”
Since 2012, more than 150 Time to Change Wales champions have spoken to 8,000-plus people about their experiences.
The Time to Change Wales website can help people looking to start a conversation about mental health, including a downloadable talking tips card.
■ Visit www.timetochangewales.org.uk to find out how you can get involved to help end mental health stigma and discrimination in Wales.