Eight in ten Scots with Mental Illness believe the public view them as dangerous

The data comes from See Me, a national foundation seeking to end mental health stigma and discrimination.

See Me says Scots with mental illnesses are "not seeking help" because they believe the public view them as "dangerous, unpredictable and to blame for their problems."

The foundation want the Scottish public to "rethink" their words and actions when it comes to mental health. 

Challenging Stereotypes

See Me is revealing that 92 percent of Scots with a mental illness believe the public view them as unpredictable, whilst three quarters think the public believe they will never recover. 

The same study, which sought the views of 400 people, also showed eight in ten people with mental illness believe the public see them as dangerous. 

87 percent believe the public see them as being to blame for their own problems. 

'Makes me Guarded'

See Me volunteer Angela McCrimmon, 46, says that the attitudes of the public hold her back from opening up about her mental health.

Angela, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at the age of 19, says that a fear of how others may react is a major barrier for her.

She said: “I know that with mental illness, you can’t help it, you can do your best to manage it as best you can. So I shouldn’t feel like I can’t be honest with other people – but there are still times where I’m unsure of what their reaction will be, because of the stigma that’s still out there.

“The way people speak about mental health still is frustrating. Something I’ve been witness to is people who know I’m somebody who lives with a mental illness speaking about other people with vert derogatory language – their ‘mad’ neighbour up the road, for instance.

"‘Don’t got into their house, you might not come out alive,’ – things like that. I had a neighbour who wasn’t known by his name any more – he was ‘the schizo’, which was awful.

“When I hear people speaking like that, I’ve had to hold back, because I think, if you have that opinion, what’s to stop you talking like that about me? It makes me quite guarded.”

Public Stigma

See Me director Wendy Halliday said: “A lot of public stigma stems from outdated stereotypes and preconceptions relating to mental illness.

“In reality, people with mental illness are more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators, and many are able to live full, independent lives with the right support and understanding.

“The actions of others, including the language used around mental health and mental illness, continue to prevent thousands of Scots from reaching out and seeking help with they need it, and we know that has to change.”