Mental Distress Kept Quiet
Research conducted by the Mental Health Foundation has revealed that almost 80% of people in the UK have at least two friends who have experienced mental distress. However, nearly half of those suffering from mental distress said they were ashamed to admit their problems to friends as they were worried about what they would think.
Dr Andrew McCulloch, Chief Executive of Mental Health Foundation, emphasised how important friendships can be: “People who feel mentally unwell might find it hard to discuss how they’re feeling but friends can provide support”. According to the research, six out of ten people suffering from mental distress reported that when their friends did find out, they were concerned, and 47% offered support.