Common beliefs

According to a 2001 study (Roper Starch Worldwide Inc. (2001) cited in Conseil médical du Québec (2001), Les maladies mentales: un éclairage contemporain), three popular beliefs create a barrier to diagnosis and treatment:

• Symptoms are not associated with a mental disorder: 93% of people who have not been diagnosed do not associate their symptoms with a mental disorder, even if almost half admit that their symptoms cause them distress and limit their ability to function socially. 

• The symptoms can be self-treated: almost half of the people who have been diagnosed will not see a health care professional because they think they can get over their illness on their own. 

• The diagnosis itself is stigmatizing: almost half of the people who have received a diagnosis are embarrassed by their illness, so only 17% of those who have not received an official diagnosis, but who have symptoms of mental illness, have this feeling. Twice as many people who have received a diagnosis of mental illness are afraid to talk about their illness to their friends. 

Different popular beliefs are also associated with the treatment of mental illness:

• Non-specific treatments, such as increasing physical or social activity, relaxation, stress management and reading accounts of people who have gone through the same thing are highly valued, while psychiatric treatment, such as medication or hospitalization, are considered harmful. From this point of view, vitamins and special diets win out over antidepressants and antipsychotic drugs. (National Mental Health Association Survey cited in Conseil médical du Québec. (2001) Mental Disorders: A Modern Picture)

• Some researchers have wanted to understand the impact of the sociocultural context, in particular the influence of public opinion about the choice of treatment, on the acceptance of different psychiatric treatments and the individual’s willingness to follow the treatment. The results suggest that psychotherapy is held in high esteem by the public, while psychopharmacology is rejected by the large majority of respondents. (Angermayer and Matschinger (1996) cited in Conseil médical du Québec. (2001) Mental Disorders: A Modern Picture)

• And yet, a recent study confirms that the combination of medication and therapy leads to a success rate of 85% among people who suffer from mental illness. (Keller, Martin. (2001) “January Report.” in Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA))

Barriers to career advancement:

According to an American study, 75% of employees who suffer from mental illness do not immediately get help for their symptoms of depression, because they are afraid of being judged and that the situation will hinder their advancement in the company.

65% of employees do not discuss their mental health with their employers for fear of being judged, not considered for promotion or let go.

40% of people (MIF survey) say that if they suffered from a mental illness, particularly depression, they would not talk to their boss about it (similar to an American study, which reported 42%).

According to people who have suffered from depression, the illness was the greatest barrier to advancement in their career. (University of Michigan, Depression Center, 2004)

In short, it is important to remember that popular beliefs about the causes and treatments of mental illness differ a great deal from those of health care professionals, particularly psychiatrists. These beliefs limit the optimal use of health care services. (Conseil médical du Québec. (2001) Mental Disorders: A Modern Picture)