“Mental health problems are less severe...The more common things, like anxiety and depression, are not mental illnesses. Schizophrenia and bipolar are more mental illnesses.”
“We all have mental health problems, but we are not all mentally ill.”
Survey respondents were asked to explain why a person with a mental illness might not seek assistance. The most frequent response was denial or an inability to recognize having a mental health problem. Being too ashamed or uncomfortable asking for help was in second place. That response was slightly higher for the male character in the vignette, suggesting that men are perceived as having a harder time asking for help. Concerns over the stigma associated with mental illness came third and were roughly equal for all three types of illness discussed. Not knowing where to go for help ranked fourth. If shame and stigma are combined, they become the main reason for not seeking help, edging out denial or a refusal to recognize the problem. FNMI responses were similar to those of other Canadians.
In the focus groups, participants thought that people might be reluctant to seek help because of denial, or fear of being branded or judged. Some reported having had negative experiences themselves from care providers. They also noted that people may not know how to access appropriate help and resources, and that more education is needed to increase awareness about treatment options. They suggested that people will often “tough it out” until they have no choice but to seek help, because of stigma and fear. Canadian beliefs about shame and fear of stigma operating as a deterrent to help seeking correspond with literature review findings. Footnote 87
“Most people will probably not seek help until they have to. That’s not the way it should be, just the way it is.”
Return to note 87 Prior et al, 1996; McNair et al, 2002; Mann and Himelein, 2004