(Press-News.org) The findings of the survey, which was led by Orygen Youth Health Research Centre, in collaboration with the University of Melbourne, also indicated improved knowledge and beliefs about mental health problems within the community due, in part, to educational campaigns about mental health.
Lead researcher Dr Nicola Reavley from the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health said this increase in willingness to disclose is most likely due to changing attitudes towards and greater awareness of mental health problems, rather than more people having mental health problems or more people having treatment.
"We conducted a national survey of mental health literacy, that is, what people know and believe about mental health problems like depression and schizophrenia. We compared these results with previous surveys carried out since 1995," Dr Reavley said.
"The results of the study revealed that the numbers of those disclosing experiences of depression and early schizophrenia, and of having received professional help for depression, have increased since 1995."
"We know that people are better at recognising the symptoms of depression than they used to be. It is also possible that there is less stigma around disclosure, although we still have a lot of work to do in that area," Dr Reavley said.
In 1995, 45 per cent of people said they knew someone like the person given in the case description, while in 2011, 71 per cent of people said this.
The study also showed that between survey periods 2003, 2004 and 2011, females were more likely than males to disclose experiencing depression, while those born overseas were more likely than those born in Australia to disclose experiencing depression with suicidal thoughts.
Researchers say these findings can contribute to the design of public education and anti-stigma interventions. Such policies could facilitate early treatment-seeking by improving recognition of mental disorder signs and symptoms, knowledge of appropriate treatments and minimise the impact of stigma as a barrier to seeking professional help.
"This new information helps us to understand how things can change in the population and the impact of campaigns to reduce the stigma of mental health problems," Dr Reavley said.
INFORMATION: END
People more willing to disclose experience of mental health problems, survey finds
2014-03-07
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
Squeezing light into metals
2014-03-07
SALT LAKE CITY, March 7, 2014 – Using an inexpensive inkjet printer, University of Utah electrical engineers produced microscopic structures that use light in metals to carry information. This new technique, which controls electrical conductivity within such microstructures, could be used to rapidly fabricate superfast components in electronic devices, make wireless technology faster or print magnetic materials.
The study appears online March 7 in the journal Advanced Optical Materials.
High-speed Internet and other data-transfer techniques rely on light transported ...
Europe's largest badger study finds rare long-distance movements
2014-03-07
Animal movement is a key part of population ecology, helping us understand how species use their environment and maintain viable populations. In many territorial species, most movements occur within a home range. Occasionally, however, individuals make long-distance movements.
Long-distance movements are important: they ensure that populations mix and do not inbreed, but they can also spread infection between populations. They are also rare, so long-distance movements are difficult to study and require large, long-term studies.
Because of their importance as a reservoir ...
Teen elephant mothers die younger but have bigger families, University of Sheffield research finds
2014-03-07
Asian elephants that give birth as teenagers die younger than older mothers but raise bigger families during their lifetime, according to new research from the University of Sheffield.
Experts from the University's Department of Animal and Plant Sciences studied the reproductive lives of 416 Asian elephant mothers in Myanmar, Burma, and found those that had calves before the age of 19 were almost two times more likely to die before the age of 50 than those that had their first offspring later.
However, elephants that entered motherhood at an earlier age had more calves ...
Missouri lawmaker apologizes for DWI arrest
2014-03-07
Missouri lawmaker apologizes for DWI arrest
Article provided by Harper, Evans, Wade & Netemeyer
Visit us at http://www.lawmissouricriminaldefense.com
Like many unpleasant events in life, a drunk driving arrest is something that many people think will never happen to them -- until it does. The recent arrest of a Missouri lawmaker for suspected driving while intoxicated underscores the point that nearly anyone can find themselves in this situation. Regardless of whether the incident stems from a single lapse in judgment or a long-term pattern of behavior, the ...
Chapter 13 debtor received required credit counseling within deadline
2014-03-07
Chapter 13 debtor received required credit counseling within deadline
Article provided by Michael J. Logan, Ltd.
Visit us at http://www.mikeloganlaw.com
Although there are a number of bankruptcy options available, for some individuals, a Chapter 13 bankruptcy proceeding may be the best solution. Under Chapter 13, a debtor reorganizes his or her debts and makes a plan to repay them, generally over three to five years.
Anyone opting for bankruptcy has certain requirements they must meet and procedures they must follow, and it is wise to have an attorney guiding ...
The law in Massachusetts regarding the removal of a child from the state
2014-03-07
The law in Massachusetts regarding the removal of a child from the state
Article provided by Richard C. Bardi & Associates LLC
Visit us at http://www.richardbardi.com
Even the most well planned child custody arrangement can be in jeopardy should a custodial parent decide he or she wants to move outside of Massachusetts with a child who is subject to shared custody or a visitation agreement. Fortunately, however, Massachusetts law contains a provision expressly dedicated to resolving issues related to the removal of a minor child of divorced parents from Massachusetts.
Specifically, ...
Civil rights: NY police under scrutiny for some instances of gunfire
2014-03-07
Civil rights: NY police under scrutiny for some instances of gunfire
Article provided by Sivin & Miller, LLP
Visit us at http://www.sivinandmiller.com
Many New Yorkers remember the well-publicized September 2013 Times Square incident in which two innocent bystanders were shot by police. The officers had reportedly instead been aiming for a disturbed man trying to throw himself in front of cars in heavy traffic.
One of the injured bystanders, Sahar Khoshakhlagh, ironically a psychologist who works professionally with people with emotional disturbances, has ...
Arkansas officials join forces to prevent traffic deaths
2014-03-07
Arkansas officials join forces to prevent traffic deaths
Article provided by Odom Law Firm
Visit us at http://www.odomfirm.com/
Already in 2014, approximately 30 people have died in fatal car accidents in Arkansas, according to preliminary data from the Arkansas State Police. Recently, state officials unveiled a new road safety campaign that is part of a nationwide effort to eliminate traffic fatalities from U.S. roads.
Representatives from several Arkansas agencies -- including the Highway and Transportation Department, the Department of Health and the Arkansas ...
"Baby boomers" divorcing at record high rates
2014-03-07
"Baby boomers" divorcing at record high rates
Article provided by Vickie Lynn Cochran, Attorney at Law
Visit us at http://www.cochranlittlerockattorney.com/
According to research performed by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), the National Center for Marriage and Family Research (NCMFR) and the United States Census Bureau, divorce rates for the so-called "baby boomer" generation have skyrocketed in recent years. Since 1990, the percentage of people over the age of 50 getting divorced has nearly tripled. Twenty years ago, one ...
What can I keep? South Carolina bankruptcy property exemptions
2014-03-07
What can I keep? South Carolina bankruptcy property exemptions
Article provided by Lord Law Firm, LLC
Visit us at http://www.lordlaw.com/
Thousands of South Carolinians are increasingly faced with growing debt, forcing them to consider filing for bankruptcy. Perhaps the main concern is whether you will be flat broke when you emerge from bankruptcy. The answer is: No!
General law
The purpose of the Bankruptcy Code is to provide debtors with a fresh start and the Code allows debtors to claim certain assets as exempt, to enable the debtor to have some ability ...