Almost 30% of people would not tell anyone if they were having suicidal thoughts, a new survey has found.

According to the findings, major stigma still surrounds mental health in Ireland, with around 40% of people admitting that they would not even tell their own partner if they were on antidepressants. A similar number would not tell their partner if their child was being treated for depression.

The survey of 500 adults from around the country was carried out by St Patrick's Mental Health Services. It said that the findings show that mental health stigma ‘remains a chronic problem in Irish society'.

Some of the key findings include:
-61% of people believe that treatment for a mental health problem is a sign of personal failure
-40% feel that the public should be better protected from people with mental health problems
-27% would not tell anyone if they had previously been an inpatient due to a mental health problem
-37% would not trust someone who experienced postnatal depression to mind their child
-33% do not think someone who experiences panic attacks could be the head of a company
-18% would not willingly marry someone previously hospitalised with depression.

Meanwhile, in addition to this survey, a study conducted earlier in the year by DCU, which was funded by St Patrick's Mental Health Services, revealed that primary schools are dealing with very young children with serious mental health problems.

Furthermore, the absence of a nationwide, dedicated primary schools counselling service is placing huge pressure on teachers, who are ill-equipped to respond to students who may be in distress.

That study involved over 1,200 primary school principals and counsellors and found that overall, principals feel ill-equipped to respond to the complexity of children's needs.

The most common issues reported by principals included general family issues, behaviour-related problems, anxiety and problems stemming from marital breakdown/divorce/separation.

In response to these latest findings, St Patrick's called for the establishment of a nationwide mental health awareness-raising and anti-stigma programme. It also called for comprehensive counselling and treatment services for children and teenegers.

"It is imperative that we take a comprehensive national approach to breaking the cycle of harm caused by mental health stigma and that we establish the appropriate supports and treatment services, particularly for children and adolescents.

"We need to build an open and supportive society for our youngest, most vulnerable citizens and no longer allow stigma and prejudice to needlessly impact people's lives," commented St Patrick's CEO, Paul Gilligan.

He insisted that education about mental health needs to start in childhood, ideally as part of the primary school curriculum, ‘to ensure that mental health stigma is not passed from generation to generation'.

"Parents and teachers are uniquely placed in ensuring that children learn about mental health from an early age, in an environment that is open and free of stigma and prejudice," Mr Gilligan added.

St Patrick's Mental Health Services highlighted this issue as part of World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10).