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	Four out of 10 people believe getting treatment for a mental health issue is a sign of personal failure.</h2>
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		A study found 60% of the public would discriminate against hiring someone with a history of mental illness on the grounds that they may be unreliable.</p>
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		Elsewhere, more than a fifth believe those suffering are of below average intelligence, while 30% would not willingly accept someone with depression, anxiety or another illness as a close friend.</p>
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		Some 500 members of the public were questioned for the St Patrick&#39;s Mental Health Services survey to mark World Suicide Awareness Day.</p>
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		Paul Gilligan, St Patrick&#39;s chief executive, said society needs to challenge the stigma that exists around the issue.</p>
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		&quot;Each year we continue to be disturbed by the level of stigma that still exists towards those with a mental health difficulty,&quot; he said.</p>
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		&quot;We know that one in four of us will have to deal with such a difficulty like this at some point in our lives. That means every single family in Ireland is affected by mental illness.</p>
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		&quot;We need to challenge the stigma that exists and prioritise mental health in the same way we do our physical health.&quot;</p>
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		St Patrick&#39;s said a lack of understanding of mental health problems is still fuelling stigma and preventing people from accessing support.</p>
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		Its survey revealed that 41% of people felt that undergoing treatment for a mental health problem is a sign of personal failure.</p>
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		However, more than half of those quizzed had a close friend who had been treated for emotional or mental health problems, 49% worked with someone who had, and 37% of respondents revealed close member of their family - like a parent, child, brother, sister - had got help.</p>
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		&quot;It has been said that physical health is easier to understand because we know that healing is possible,&quot; said Mr Gilligan.</p>
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		&quot;However, there is a need to promote mental health education in Irish schools and workplaces to ensure that everyone knows that recovery is possible and those that need help don&#39;t wait to get that help.&quot;</p>
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		<a href="http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/end-the-stigma-of-mental-illness-29567251.html">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/end-the-stigma-of-mental-illness-29567251.html</a></p>
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