About
84% of people have mental health problems and a third of the UK
general public feels isolated, according to a new report.
The charity Mind says young people are most likely to feel disconnected
from society, whether they have mental health problems or not.
It blames lack of relationships, absence of support and discrimination
for feelings of social exclusion.
The charity is calling for government action on the problem.
Surveys of 532 Mind members and 964 members of the general public
showed people living in rural communities and from black and ethnic
communities were also more susceptible to isolation.
Feelings of social exclusion was
most common among people with mental health problems and often
contributed to their illness.
Of the Mind members surveyed, 80% said isolation made it harder
for them to recover or cope with their mental health problems.
Many blamed relationship problems or lack of close relationships
stemming from their mental health problems as a top cause of isolation.
Unemployment, lack of money and lack of support services also
featured highly.
Ready use of a telephone was mentioned most often as the support
used to help overcome isolation.
Mind said many people with mental health problems were condemned
to a life of social segregation because of a vicious
cycle of isolation, worsened by stigma and prejudice.
Chief executive Richard Brook said: "Most people already
know that it's good to talk, but when you're in mental distress
it isn't always that simple. If the crucial links are missing,
things can go downhill rapidly."
He urged the government to take the lead
in providing better social support for those at risk.
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-05-19 01:00