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One in five Britons believe mental health problems are used as an excuse, a survey found.
However, most people do not believe those suffering from poor mental health are ‘snowflakes’, with three quarters (73 per cent) saying mental health is as important as physical health.
The Wellcome poll of 4,000 adults found 77 per cent would feel comfortable with a friend opening up to them and 81 per cent backed helping people earlier rather than focusing only on the most severe cases.
Twenty-two per cent believe mental health is used as an excuse, such as avoiding work.
Paul Spencer, head of policy for mental health at Wellcome, a research foundation, said: ‘It is very encouraging to see how much the British public cares about mental health.
‘Across the political spectrum, they want to see people receiving help as early as possible, long before they reach crisis point.
‘Most people do not believe in the snowflake narrative.’
The latest NHS survey shows one in five adults in England has a common mental health condition, such as anxiety or depression, which is equal to 9.4million people.
The latest NHS survey shows one in five adults in England has a common mental health condition, such as anxiety or depression, which is equal to 9.4million people.
Meanwhile, the poll found 65 per cent of Britons think scientific advancements could benefit mental health patients in the coming years.
However, those in focus groups said patients would not be able to access new treatments as they would be stuck on waiting lists.
The report comes after the Government unveiled plans aiming to get people mental health support earlier and closer to home.
In August, it was announced that there will be 100 new community mental health centres and 59 dedicated mental health emergency departments in the ‘biggest redesign of mental health services in a generation’.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the new centres ‘will be a lifeline for so many’, allowing people to get help ‘before problems get worse’.
