The stigma of mental illness in numbers

Stigma and discrimination can prevent people living with mental illness from speaking openly, building relationships, and receiving the care they need.

We conducted a survey of people severely affected by mental illness in 2021, and found their experiences of stigma and discrimination were all too common: 

• 93% of people living with severe mental illness still feel that there isn’t enough awareness about what it means to live with a mental illness.*
• 88% of people also reported that stigma and discrimination is still widespread.* 

Stigma ruins lives 

• Three in five (58%) people living with severe mental illness said that worries about the perceptions of others stopped them seeking treatment. 
• 94% of people feel that they have been treated differently because of their illness.
• 86% of people living with severe mental illness say that the fear of stigma and discrimination has stopped them from doing things they wanted to do. This includes accessing benefits or housing support, applying for a job or promotion, or being close to their family and community.

It can come from anywhere 

• 48% of people living with severe mental illness have experienced stigma and discrimination from a GP or health professional. 
• 42% of people with a severe mental illness, who have worked in large, corporate workplaces have experienced stigma and discrimination. 
• 56% have experienced stigma and discrimination by their employer. 
• 32% of people living with severe mental illness have experienced stigma and discrimination at the Job Centre/benefits office.

Even at home 

• 37% of people living with severe mental illness have experienced stigma within their own home. 
• 32% also said they have experienced stigma within their neighbourhood.

But there is hope 

The conversation about mental health has certainly changed in this country over the last 20 years. 

In fact, 57% of people living with severe mental illness think that discrimination towards common mental health problems has decreased. 

But only 10% of people living with borderline personality disorder, and 15% of people with eating disorders, feel that stigma about their condition has decreased. 

So, there is plenty of work to be done. That is why Rethink Mental Illness continues to campaign for everyone living with a mental illness to be treated fairly, and with the respect they deserve.