New national survey on attitudes to mental health launched as Aware marks 40 years
One-in-four adults say they have been diagnosed with depression or anxiety, but three-in-four say the cost of accessing treatment is a barrier to their recovery.
A survey of 1,000 adults found that eight-in-ten say there is a better understanding of mental health today compared with 40 years ago.
However, a similar proportion (81 per cent) believe there needs to be better services for people with mental health challenges.
Three-in-four people said the cost of services including counselling and psychotherapy for people with mental health challenges is a big barrier for many and eight-in-ten said delays in accessing services are a problem.
The nationally representative survey was carried out for mental health charity Aware, which is marking its fortieth anniversary.
"This survey shows that Ireland has made real progress -- people are talking more openly, and understanding has deepened -- but it also reminds us that many still face stigma, cost, and access barriers when they reach out for help," said Aware's clinical director Dr Susan Brannick.
"There are more mental health services than 40 years ago but investment continues to lag behind WHO recommendations. Stigma is still a particular concern for those experiencing severe depression and longstanding mental health challenges.
"Whilst it appears social or public stigma regarding mental health has reduced, we know that self-stigma, when we internalise society's negative attitudes, is still an issue and that this can impact on whether someone will access help or not."
The research found that one-in-four adults have directly engaged with Aware's services or know a friend or family member who has.
The survey also explored hope, a concept increasingly recognised as central to recovery. Using the recognised Adult Hope Scale, more than half of over-65s reported the highest levels of hope, while one-in-five 25-34-year-olds had low hope scores.
When asked what sustained them when experiencing a mental health challenge, respondents pointed to family and close relationships (61 per cent), personal resilience (44 per cent), acts of kindness (39 per cent), nature (33 per cent), and art, music, and creativity (26 per cent).
The findings were released ahead of World Mental Health Day, which takes place this Friday, October 10, during Aware Mental Health Week (October 6-12).
Globally, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that depression is set to become the leading cause of disease burden by 2030. It recommends countries allocate 12 per cent of their health budget to mental health -- Ireland currently spends less than half of that.
In the last 10 years alone, Aware has had more than 87,200 visits to its support groups, while, since 2010, the Aware Support Line has received more than 197,000 calls. This year the charity launched a new free counselling service for adults experiencing depression or anxiety.
Kildare-based professional singer Arlene Bailey took part in Aware's Living Well with Bipolar programme.
"For many years I was struggling with my mental health without fully understanding what was happening, and it had a huge impact on my wellbeing and my life," she said.
"Receiving a diagnosis of bipolar five years ago was a turning point - it meant I could finally seek the right support and learn how to manage my condition.
"Taking part in Aware's Living Well with Bipolar programme gave me practical tools and a safe space to share experiences, which has been invaluable."