St Patrick’s Mental Health Services shares important message this Christmas  

Some 20% of adults in Ireland would tell no one if they were experiencing suicidal thoughts, St Patrick’s Mental Health Services’ 2024 annual Attitudes to Mental Health and Stigma Survey has revealed.

The survey also found a significant 49% of people who have experienced mental health difficulties have not sought treatment due to stigma or embarrassment.

In light of these findings, St Patrick’s Mental Health Services is urging everyone to check in on their own and their loved ones’ mental health and wellbeing, particularly during the Christmas period when the pressures of the season can often take over, and to seek support if needed. 

For over 10 years, St Patrick’s Mental Health Services has commissioned this annual survey to track changing attitudes towards mental health and stigma.

While there have been improvements in attitudes, the 2024 findings highlighted that stigma is still a significant barrier to seeking help, with shame or embarrassment often impacting willingness to disclose mental health difficulties and to engage in treatment.

For example, this year’s survey, which polled a nationally representative of over 1,000 adults in the Republic of Ireland, found: 

• 53% of respondents have experienced a mental health difficulty, yet more than one-third (34%) did not seek treatment, with the main reason for not doing so cited as shame.  

• 23% of people would consider it a sign of weakness if they sought help for a mental health difficulty. At the same time, 11% would consider it a sign of weakness if a friend or loved one sought help, indicating the prevalence of self-stigma.    

Speaking about the findings, Paul Gilligan, CEO of St Patrick’s Mental Health Services said: “While attitudes towards mental health are improving in many ways, as reflected year-on-year in our annual survey findings, one concerning area that has seen little change is in the disclosure of suicidal thoughts and the idea that it’s a sign of weakness to seek help for your mental health. 

“Speaking up about your mental health takes courage.

“Oftentimes, a person might feel like a burden to others or that mental health difficulties may reflect a personal weakness.

“This is absolutely not the case, and we need to continue to challenge these deeply ingrained attitudes; to continually demonstrate the strength in speaking out and seeking help and reinforce the possibility of recovery from mental health difficulties with the right supports. 

“In the busyness of the holiday season, it’s important to remember that the most important thing we can do with our time is to connect with our emotional selves and to check in on how we, and others, are really feeling.

“If we ourselves, or someone we love, is struggling, don’t let stigma stand in the way of seeking support.” 

Despite some stagnated attitudes towards stigma, findings from the 2024 survey have also shown areas where attitudes to mental health are notably improving, for example: 

• Less people are afraid of experiencing mental health difficulties themselves in the future than they were five years ago, indicating increased understanding of mental health difficulties and awareness that recovery from mental health difficulties is possible. 

• Since 2020, there has been a 16% decrease in the number of people who believe that being treated for a mental health difficulty is still seen by Irish society as a sign of personal failure. In 2020, 64% of respondents agreed with this statement while this figure stood at 48% in 2024. 

• 66% of people who experienced mental health difficulties in 2024 sought treatment – a 10% increase since 2023. 

• 78% of this year’s survey respondents also believe that people with mental health difficulties experience less stigma and discrimination than 10 years ago. 

• 52% have had a positive experience of disclosing mental health difficulties at work, at home or in the local community. 

Speaking about the importance of taking that first step if you’re experiencing mental health difficulties, Seán Blake, expert by experience and a member of St Patrick’s Mental Health Services’ Service Users and Supporters Council, said: “I was at a very dangerous moment in my eating disorder and decided I had to speak up and ask for help or it would take me away from my family.

“At 42 years old and married with four kids, I was admitted to inpatient care for an eating disorder and if I hadn’t reached out to seek support, I may not be here right now.

“Asking for help saved my life and led me on a journey of discovery where I learned compassion for myself, which is something that we all deserve. 

“Please check in on yourself and others, it’s so important and it can save lives; just a few words from someone can make such a difference.

“When I sought support, I was accepted and didn’t face stigma. Don’t let stigma win, we all deserve to be happy.” 

Jude McCarthy, expert by experience and a member of St Patrick’s Mental Health Services’ Service User Advisory Network, reflected on the impact stigma had on her: “After initially being diagnosed with depression and severe anxiety, then ultimately bipolar 2 disorder ten years later, I can now clearly see the impact that stigma—particularly self-stigma—had on me.

“I struggled for years to accept my illness, and I spent a huge amount of time trying to find any other explanation for my symptoms, rather than seeking the additional help I desperately needed.

“When I finally opened up about my mental health to my GP it was a massive relief and the first step to getting the help and information I needed to understand this illness. 

“Medication and therapy were of huge help, and I had many years symptom free.

“When my illness returned many years later, stigma came too.

“The depression was so severe that I needed hospitalisation, but I refused the extra help time and again because hospitalisation remained the greatest stigma of all.

“Eventually receiving inpatient care saved and changed my life. I learned that support is out there, and no one should face these challenges alone.

“As someone who has lived the real impact of stigma, and who nearly let it beat me, I would encourage anyone who might be struggling to reach out and speak to your GP.” 

For further information about the findings of this year’s Attitudes to Mental Health and Stigma Survey, click here.