News Release, 8 September 2006
A charity called the Mental Health Foundation is running a major survey to look at the effects of mental health problems on friendships across the UK.
If you have experienced a mental health problem, did you keep it a secret from your friends? Or has the support of a friend helped you through a period when you were perhaps feeling depressed or anxious?
And if you are friends with somebody who has had a mental health problem, how did it feel to discover that your friend had a mental health problem? Were you upset? Did you feel awkward? Frustrated that you couldn’t help?
Dr Andrew McCulloch, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation says,
“1 in 4 people living in the UK experience mental illness each year and so everybody is likely to know somebody who has been affected. Evidence shows that friendships are a very important foundation for good mental well-being but we want to find out how people’s friendships are affected by mental health problems. It can be hard for a person who feels depressed or anxious to discuss how they’re feeling with friends but it can also be difficult for friends to know how to support someone with a mental health problem.”
To take part in the survey and enter the draw to win gift vouchers to the value of £50, visit www.mentalhealth.org.uk by 1 December 2006. The results will be announced during Mental Health Action Week in April 2007.
Return to news releases 2006
Notes to editors
For further information and interview requests contact please contact the Press Office on 020 7803 1128 / 1130 or email the press office
Mental Health Action Week is an annual event co-ordinated by the Mental Health Foundation, which aims to raise awareness of mental health issues and tackle stigma and discrimination.
The Mental Health Foundation is the leading UK charity working to improve services for both people with mental health problems and people with learning disabilities. It is the only charity to fund and work with both service users and providers and plays an important role in funding research and new approaches to prevention, treatment and care. The Foundation’s work includes allocating grants for research and community projects; contributing to the public debate; educating policy makers and healthcare professionals and striving to reduce the stigma attached to mental illness.
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