Young adults' attitudes to mental illness

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in the U.S. has been surveying people's attitude to mental illness as part of Mental Health Awareness Month. Overall the survey found that less than half (40%) of Americans believe someone with mental illness can be as successful at work as other people. The survey paid particular attention to the opinions of young adults (18-25) as this age group is the most likely to have a serious mental illness yet are the least likely to seek treatment. In this age group 72% thought that someone with mental illness would improve if given treatment and support, however, only a third (33%) thought that they would eventually recover. Nearly two thirds of young adults who knew someone with a mental illness thought treatment would help them but only 22% thought that people were generally caring and sympathetic to people with mental illness.

You can find out more about this research at

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/189844.php