A YouGov poll of 1067 people from across Scotland, revealed three quarters (72%) think there is a problem with stigmatisation of severe mental illness (SMI).
While 73% said there is a lack of awareness or education and the same number (73%) thought there are still misconceptions around SMI.
The survey also revealed that less than half of Scots (45%) think public understanding about SMI is now better than it was five years ago.
Severe mental health includes conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and eating disorders.
In 2021 there was 16,200 people in Scotland were living with schizophrenia while 52,697 had bipolar disorder and 20,104 had an eating disorder.
Now in response to the new YouGov figures, the College is set to embark on a campaign to educate policymakers ahead of the 2026 Holyrood election.
Dr Jane Morris, chair of RCPsych in Scotland, said:
“These figures speak for themselves – we still have a problem with the understanding of what severe mental illness actually is.
“Over recent decades there has been a lot of work to reduce stigma around mental conditions such as anxiety and low-level depression, but our polling shows much more work is needed to correct the myths and lack of knowledge around severe mental illnesses, in particular schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, severe OCD and comparable conditions.
“I have close friends and dear colleagues who as patients or family have endured the unimaginable suffering these illnesses bring. I’ve seen the courage with which they have learned to trust their psychiatrists and tolerate the treatments and side effects they needed. I’ve seen too, how expert treatment has restored them to generous and creative lives.
“Ahead of the forthcoming elections the College and our partners want to educate politicians from all parties to consider severe mental illnesses. A greater understanding can lead to saving and improving lives.”
Graham Morgan (61) is based in Cardross in Argyle and lives with his partner, her two children, two rabbits and Dash the dog. Graeme is an author and mental health campaigner. He has lived with paranoid schizophrenia for more than 40 years.
Graeme said:
“The polling results makes for quite shocking reading but sadly the data is not surprising. There is not enough said about what severe mental illness is - in an easy and simple way. Friends and family can feel very lonely when a loved one is diagnosed and it’s bewildering for a lot of people.
“I have a very happy life. I live in a beautiful part of Scotland and I’m active in speaking out about mental illness. All my life I have been open about my schizophrenia and my compulsory treatment and almost always, people have been interested, accepting and kind about it.
“However, there are people who view us strangely. One person even said to me at an airport that people like me were scum and did not deserve to live. Another person close to me said people like me were incapable of love and emotion and it is the sad reality of a disability like mine.
“We need to look at how severe mental illness is viewed in society. Some mental illnesses are very treatable, and people can lead good lives. Given how far society has moved on in other areas we shouldn’t have to deal with stigma in this day in age.”
For further information, please contact:
- Email: scotland@rcpsych.ac.uk
- Contact Name: RCPsych in Scotland
- Twitter: @rcpsychscot