A quarter of adults experienced their first mental health difficulties during the pandemic, research published on Tuesday indicates.
The data are contained in the annual Attitudes to Mental Health and Stigma survey from St Patrick’s Mental Health Services, published on Tuesday. It finds 43 per cent of respondents reporting either they or a family member had sought support with a mental health difficulty since March 2020.
The survey of a representative sample of 842 adults was conducted online by Amárach Research, between June 30th and July 7th.
In all 41 per cent of adults said they had been treated for a mental health problem at some point in their lives – a “steady increase”, according to researchers by up to 16 per cent, since 2019.
“Despite the higher number of people experiencing mental health difficulties or seeking support, 66 per cent [of respondents] believe that being treated for a mental health difficulty is still seen by Irish society as a sign of personal failure, and 16 per cent would consider it a sign of weakness if they sought help for a mental health difficulty during the ongoing pandemic.
"These figures highlight the need for a sustained approach to tackling mental health stigma in Ireland, " said a spokeswoman for St Patrick's Mental Health Services.
Almost a quarter (23 per cent) of parents to under-18s have sought mental health support for their child (7 per cent increase since 2020); and of these parents 57 per cent have had their child diagnosed with a mental health difficulty – an increase of 20 per cent since 2020.
Asked about the long-term impact of the pandemic on their child’s mental health, 62 per cent of parents said they were “concerned”; and 49 per cent of parents believe lockdown restrictions “negatively impacted their child’s mental health” – a 15 per cent increase since 2020.
‘Society’s resilience’
On a brighter note the pandemic also “highlighted Irish society’s resilience and ability to find new opportunities for mentally healthy living in the face of unprecedented challenges. In all 55 per cent of respondents believed that the pandemic has led to positive changes in the workplace and an opportunity to reflect on values and priorities.”
Some 56 per cent were more comfortable talking openly about their mental health now than they were before the pandemic.
In all 72 per cent believed Irish society was more open to talking about mental health issues since the onset of the pandemic, while more than half (51 per cent) had introduced new ways to support their mental health and wellbeing – including increased time outdoors, taking up an exercise regime, speaking more openly about mental health and taking up a new hobby.
A total of 46 per cent believed the easing of restrictions had positively affected their mental health.
