‘Alarming Rise’ in Mental Health Stigma Reported in England
Recent research indicates a concerning increase in stigma surrounding mental health in England, with public belief in the effectiveness of community support and the possibility of recovery from severe mental illness declining. Mind’s annual Big Mental Health report revealed that only 68% of respondents agreed that being part of a community was the best therapy for individuals with mental health problems – the lowest figure recorded since the study began in 2008.
Dr. Sarah Hughes, Chief Executive of Mind, expressed alarm at the findings, noting a shift in public language and reported changes in family attitudes. She linked this to increasing negative narratives surrounding benefit claimants and high-profile instances of violence connected to mental illness. Mind is also receiving reports from mental health services facing challenges from local communities, including frequent complaints and objections to planning applications.
The survey also showed a significant drop in the belief that individuals with severe mental illnesses like schizophrenia or psychosis can fully recover, falling from 67% in 2019 to 53% currently.
Professor Claire Henderson of the IoPPN explained that while attitudes towards individuals with mental illness may have improved, overall attitudes towards mental illness itself have regressed “back to baseline.” She suggested that recent, highly publicized criminal cases involving perpetrators with mental illness, such as the case of valdo Calocane who fatally stabbed three people in Nottingham in 2023, might potentially be contributing to increased stigmatisation.
Professor Henderson acknowledged that public fear surrounding visibly unwell individuals is understandable,advocating for increased resources for crisis response rather than solely relying on coercive care.She also highlighted the impact of limited access to mental health services on public perception, noting that a lack of observed positive outcomes can lead to pessimism about the effectiveness of treatment.
Moreover, Henderson pointed to a growing negative discourse surrounding young people with mental health problems, which she believes trivializes conditions and fuels misconceptions about those receiving benefits.
The report also revealed a substantial waiting list for community mental health care in England and Wales, with 1.66 million people waiting for support in the third quarter of 2024-25.
Jenny Tan, a 22-year-old psychology student who experienced a lengthy wait for anorexia treatment, shared her experiences with stigma and unfriendliness upon disclosing her mental ill health.Despite increased celebrity advocacy, she noted a continued association between mental illness and perilous behaviours in media portrayals, hindering understanding and fostering negative reactions. Tan believes greater public understanding of the lived experience of mental health conditions would reduce prejudice and fear.
