FYI - may be of interest to some list members
Best wishes
David McDaid
LSE Health and Social Care
Press Release at http://www.gnn.gov.uk/environment/fullDetail.asp?ReleaseID=297406&NewsAreaID=2&NavigatedFromDepartment=False
Survey at http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsStatistics/DH_076516
Since March 1993, the Department of Health has placed a set of questions on TNS's Face-to-Face Consumer Omnibus. From 1993 to 1997 the questions were asked on an annual basis, thereafter they have been asked every third year up until 2003. The current 2007 survey follows four years after the previous survey. These surveys serve as a tracking mechanism, and in this report, the most recent results are compared with those from previous years.
From press release
Public attitudes towards people with mental health problems remain broadly sympathetic despite some signs that prejudice and fear have slightly increased, a survey by the Department of Health has found.
The general public in England is still relatively understanding about mental illness:
- Nearly 9 out of 10 think those with mental health problems deserve our sympathy
- More than 4 out of 5 think society needs to be more tolerant towards mentally-ill people
- 9 out of 10 believe society has a responsibility to provide the best possible care
- Nearly 4 out of 5 disagree with the idea that people with mental health problems are a burden on society
The vast majority of people remain supportive of the integration of those with mental illness into the community. Around 3 in 4 responded positively that no-one has the right to exclude people with mental illness from their neighbourhood, that the best therapy is being part of the community and that mental health services should be largely community-based.
However, compared to when the poll was carried out in 1994, some of these attitudes are slightly less sympathetic. For example 8% less favour a more tolerant attitude and 5% less think people with mental health problems are deserving of sympathy.
Some perceptions of the dangers posed by psychiatric patients have also worsened. This year 34% described people with mental health problems as prone to violence, an increase of 5% from 2003 (when the question was first posed).............
Please access the attached hyperlink for an important electronic communications disclaimer: http://www.lse.ac.uk/collections/secretariat/legal/disclaimer.htm
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