One in three Brits don't seek help for mental health problems over fears of looking ‘weak'

Scottish Sun

06-05-2025

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ONE in three Brits have decided against seeking mental health support due to the stigma that still surrounds the issue.
A study, of 1,000 adults, revealed 21 per cent believe those who seek therapy are "mentally weak" - a figure that rises to 25 per cent among Gen Z.
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Over half of survey respondents said they try to handle mental health issues on their own
Credit: Getty
Thirty-five per cent worry about being judged if they were to get professional help for their wellbeing, while 25 per cent fear doing so could harm their job prospects.
As a result, 55 per cent prefer to handle problems on their own, with 36 per cent saying there is societal pressure to do so.
And nearly three in 10 would be hesitant to tell their partner if they had seen a therapist.
In fact, 60 per cent of those polled believe this persistent stigma discourages people from seeking the help they need when they're struggling.
Fernando Madeira, president and CEO of BetterHelp, which commissioned the research and released its global 'State of Stigma' report to mark Mental Health Awareness Month, said: "Mental health stigma is deeply rooted in societal attitudes and misconceptions.
"Many people fear judgement from their peers and family, believing seeking therapy is a sign of weakness.
"As a result, people often feel uncomfortable sharing their struggles or seeking the support they need.
"We exist to champion the well-being of everyone in the UK - and envisage a future where everyone can get the help they need, when they need it."
Despite all of this, it also emerged 85 per cent value mental health just as much as physical health, and 78 per cent believe support is vital to overall wellbeing.
More than half - 56 per cent - admit to often feeling anxious, nervous or on edge, while 45 per cent say mental health struggles make it difficult to navigate daily life.
Monty Don's secret to fighting depression
Even among those who haven't accessed therapy, 14 per cent say they've avoided it due to fear of what family or friends might think.
And over a third - 35 per cent - cite a lack of social support as a key barrier to seeking care.
Practical challenges are also getting in the way - with 49 per cent saying support is hard to find and 41 per cent finding it too expensive.
One in five - 21 per cent - reported poor access to providers, while 19 per cent are unsure how to even begin the process.
Depression... the signs to look for and what to do
Depression can manifest in many ways.
We all feel a bit low from time to time.
But depression is persistent and can make a person feel helpless and unable to see a way through.
They may also struggle to about daily life.
Mind says these are some common signs of depression that you may experience:
How you might feel Down, upset or tearful
Restless, agitated or irritable
Guilty, worthless and down on yourself
Empty and numb
Isolated and unable to relate to other people
Finding no pleasure in life or things you usually enjoy
Angry or frustrated over minor things
A sense of unreality
No self-confidence or self-esteem
Hopeless and despairing
Feeling tired all the time
How you might act Avoiding social events and activities you usually enjoy
Self-harming or suicidal behaviour
Difficulty speaking, thinking clearly or making decisions
Losing interest in sex
Difficulty remembering or concentrating on things
Using more tobacco, alcohol or other drugs than usual
Difficulty sleeping, or sleeping too much
No appetite and losing weight, or eating more than usual and gaining weight
Physical aches and pains with no obvious physical cause
Moving very slowly, or being restless and agitated
If you feel this way, visit your GP who can help you.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support.
The following are free to contact and confidential: Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123, [e-mail]
CALM (the leading movement against suicide in men) www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
Papyrus (prevention of young suicide) www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
Shout (for support of all mental health) www.giveusashout.org/get-help/, text 85258 to start a conversation
Mind, www.mind.org, provide information about types of mental health problems and where to get help for them. Email [e-mail] or call the infoline on 0300 123 3393 (UK landline calls are charged at local rates, and charges from mobile phones will vary).
YoungMinds run a free, confidential parents helpline on 0808 802 5544 for parents or carers worried about how a child or young person is feeling or behaving. The website has a chat option too.
Rethink Mental Illness, www.rethink.org, gives advice and information service offers practical advice on a wide range of topics such as The Mental Health Act, social care, welfare benefits, and carers rights. Use its website or call 0300 5000 927 (calls are charged at your local rate).
The study also revealed the stigma is especially stark for Gen Z - who, despite demonstrating the most signs of poor mental health, are still more likely than any other age group to view therapy as a sign of weakness.
They are also almost twice as likely as Baby Boomers to experience mild to moderate anxiety (47 per cent vs 25 per cent), and more than four times as likely to suffer from severe anxiety (24 per cent vs 7 per cent).
Only 39 per cent report feeling happy - compared to 54 per cent of Millennials and 61 per cent of Boomers - while nearly a third (31 per cent) show signs of moderate to severe depression.
BetterHelp therapist Richard Whitenstall added: "Gen Z face pressure from social media to project a perfect life, which can lead to unrealistic expectations, fear of judgement and many hiding their struggles, which fosters stigma.
"Growing up in environments where discussing mental health is taboo further reinforces this stigma, making it harder to seek help."