Latest news with #FernandoMadeira
Daily Mirror
06-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
One in three won't seek mental health support due to stigma - with Gen Z most affected
A fifth of Brits believe those who seek therapy are 'mentally weak' - a figure that rises to higher among Gen Z One in three adults are avoiding seeking mental health support due to the stigma that still surrounds it, according to a study. The research, which surveyed 1,000 adults, found that a fifth believe those who seek therapy are 'mentally weak', a figure that rises to 25% among Gen Z. One in ten reported avoiding therapy due to fears of how their family or friends might perceive them. Many worry about being judged for seeking professional help or fear it could negatively impact their job prospects. They also noted that society often pressures people to handle their problems independently, with over half going down this route. Two thirds of those polled believe this persistent stigma discourages people who are struggling from seeking the help they need, and nearly three in 10 admitted they would be hesitant to tell their partner if they had seen a therapist. The research was carried out by BetterHelp, an online Therapy, as part of its global 'State of Stigma' report to mark Mental Health Awareness Month. It 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% vs 25%), and more than four times as likely to suffer from severe anxiety (24% vs 7%). Richard Whitenstall, a therapist at BetterHelp, said: "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.' Furthermore, practical challenges also stop many people from getting support. Four in ten say it's too expensive and a fifth of people also stressed that it's difficult to gain access to providers. Even with all this, 85% think mental health is just as important as physical health, and 78% think support is needed for overall wellbeing. The president and CEO of BetterHelp, Fernando Madeira, said: 'Mental health stigma is deeply rooted in societal attitudes and misconceptions. 'Many people fear judgment 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.'
Scottish Sun
06-05-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
One in three Brits don't seek help for mental health problems over fears of looking ‘weak'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) 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. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 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, 116 123, jo@ CALM (the leading movement against suicide in men) 0800 585 858 Papyrus (prevention of young suicide) 0800 068 41 41 Shout (for support of all mental health) text 85258 to start a conversation Mind, provide information about types of mental health problems and where to get help for them. Email info@ 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, 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."
The Irish Sun
06-05-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
One in three Brits don't seek help for mental health problems over fears of looking ‘weak'
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 Advertisement 1 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 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. Advertisement Read more on mental health Fernando Madeira, president and CEO of BetterHelp, which commissioned the research and released its global 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." Advertisement Most read in Health 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. Advertisement 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, CALM (the leading movement against suicide in men) Papyrus (prevention of young suicide) Shout (for support of all mental health) Mind, Rethink Mental Illness, 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 Advertisement 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."
The Sun
06-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
One in three Brits don't seek help for mental health problems over fears of looking ‘weak'
Sun Reporter Published: Invalid Date, 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. 1 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 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, 116 123, jo@ CALM (the leading movement against suicide in men) 0800 585 858 Papyrus (prevention of young suicide) 0800 068 41 41 Shout (for support of all mental health) text 85258 to start a conversation Mind, provide information about types of mental health problems and where to get help for them. Email info@ 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, 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."
North Wales Live
06-05-2025
- Health
- North Wales Live
Mental health stigma stopping one in three Brits from seeking help
More than one in three Brits feel stigma prevents them from accessing mental health support, new research reveals. Over a third (37%) of people made the admission as Mental Health Awareness Month gets underway, with nearly two-thirds (60%) believing stigma discourages others. More than half (56%) of the UK often feel anxious, nervous or on edge, with almost half (45%) reporting difficulties navigating life due to mental hardships. Yet one in five (21%) Brits brand those seeking therapy as 'mentally weak'. Despite eight in 10 (85%) Brits valuing mental health as important as physical health and 78% seeing mental health support as crucial for wellbeing, outdated societal attitudes continue to hinder willingness to access care. This mirrors global trends within BetterHelp's 'State of Stigma' report including insights from over 16,000 people across 23 countries, which finds nearly 6 in 10 cite societal attitudes as a deterrent to seeking help. To kick off Mental Health Awareness Month, BetterHelp, the world's largest online therapy platform, has released the report aimed at breaking down barriers to care and ensuring people around the world can get the support they need. Fernando Madeira, president and CEO of BetterHelp, said: 'Mental health stigma is deeply rooted in societal attitudes and misconceptions. 'Many people fear judgment 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.' Nearly a third of people (30%) are also hesitant to tell their partner they have seen a therapist. And among those who haven't sought mental health support, 14% worry about what family or friends might think if they find out. Despite growing up in an era of heightened mental health awareness, Gen Z faces a paradox and more stigma. They are considered more likely than any other generation to openly discuss mental health issues, yet a quarter (25%) of Gen Z believe those who seek therapy are 'mentally weak', compared to over a fifth (21%) of millennials, Gen X, and Baby Boomers combined. In the UK, Gen Z are nearly twice as likely as Baby Boomers to experience mild to moderate anxiety and over four times more likely to face severe anxiety. Gen Z is the least happy, with only 39% reporting high levels of happiness compared to 54% of Millennials and 61% of Baby Boomers. Additionally, 31% of Gen Z report moderate to severe depressive symptoms, compared to 17% of Gen X and 8% of Baby Boomers. The report reveals the biggest barriers to care impacting people in the UK. Over a third (35%) report a lack of social support as a barrier to seeking care. This is because over a third (35%) worry about being judged, and a quarter (25%) fear seeking help could harm their job prospects. Reflecting British culture, a majority (55%) prefer to handle problems alone, with 36% feeling pressured to do so. Other barriers people cite to seeking mental health support include that it's hard to find (49%) expensive (41%), there's a lack of access to providers (21%) and not knowing how to find a provider (19%). Richard Whitenstall, a BACP accredited therapist from BetterHelp said: "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."
