Mental health stigma persists

Mentally ill people in California say they often face prejudice and discrimination from members of their communities, according to a new study from global policy research institute RAND.

Researchers polled 1,066 Californians suffering from mild to severe psychological distress, and about 90 percent said they had experienced mental-health-related discrimination from co-workers, family, friends, health care providers and law enforcement, according to California Healthline. More than two-thirds of survey participants said they would hide their condition from co-workers and classmates, and more than a third said they wouldn’t share their mental health status with family. About 1 in 5 respondents said they might delay health care to avoid exposing their mental health issues.

However, 70 percent of respondents said that they’re satisfied with their lives, despite mental illness, and many believe it’s possible to overcome their conditions.