Kunnskap og åpenhet om psykisk helse og psykiske lidelser

10SummarySidsel Sverdrup and Christopher BrattKnowledge, openness, mental health and psychiatric disordersNIBR report 2003:5Development of the Mental Health Plan for 1999-2006 is acomprehensive plan intended to strengthen and develop services forthose suffering from mental problems. This project represents just oneelement in the evaluation of this effort.This report accounts for findings from the first of two surveys onknowledge and attitudes surrounding mental health and psychiatricdisorders. This first survey was completed over a three month periodin 2002; the concluding survey, which will look at changes that mighthave come about in the intervening years, will be carried out in 2005.The use of telephone interviewing is the method used in both surveys.The report discusses issues related to openness, relational proximityand knowledge of mental health and psychiatric disorders, includingfactors such as causes, consequences, solutions and issues related tochildren and adolescents.The findings show a consistent level of interrelatedness between openness,relational proximity and involvement. People’s assessment oftheir own willingness to speak openly about mental health concernsvaries widely depending on several factors. The closer people are, themore likely they are to be prepared to address such issues. More thanhalf of the population are prepared to speak about mental healthproblems within their own family. As relational distance increases,willingness decreases. Only a third are prepared to speak openly aboutpsychological problems with their friends. Levels of willingness fallfurther in step with increased relational distance: only a fifth feel theycould be frank about mental health issues with their colleagues atwork.NIBR-rapport 2003:5