A SURVEY has revealed that many people experiencing mental health issues have trouble telling their family and friends about it.

Carried out by Louise Smith of Johnstone and See Me, Scotland’s programme to end mental health discrimination, the survey looked into how people feel and react to mental illness.

Mrs Smith, 29, said: “There is a huge stigma for those who have experienced a mental health condition and an invisible illness. It’s so easy for friends, family, even healthcare professionals, to blame worrying physical symptoms on psychological factors.

“When others believe you are a hypochondriac or it’s all in your head, it’s a very lonely place, and you stop reaching out to people and even to medical professionals, because it’s very deflating to have the same stigmatising experience over and over again.”

The research, published for Invisible Illness Week, found that 66% of the 114 people surveyed would be hesitant to tell an employer about a mental health issue or invisible illness such as ME, Fibromyalgia or Lyme disease.

On top of this 45% of people who experienced mental health issues along with invisible illnesses find it hard to have their physical symptoms taken seriously.

The key issue found by the research was that people are not being given the help and support they need in health care or by friends and family simply because they do not look unwell. Although Mrs Smith highlights that many people don’t know how to help.

Calum Irving, director of See Me, said: “It is not fair that people have to worry about telling those closest to them that they need help and support. We all need to know that it is okay not to be okay and we all need to do what we can to be there, listen and not judge people.”

The researchers want to see changes made to improve the lives of people who face duel stigma relating to mental health issues and invisible physical illnesses.