Society fails to understand
A large number of people perceive mentally-ill patients in a rather negative light, yet most feel they should receive good care - not be rejected by society, according to a survey by Assumption University's Abac Poll.
The survey, conducted from March 11 to 13 in Bangkok and adjacent provinces, polled 1,467 respondents above 18 years of age. "When compared to a similar survey conducted in December, the number of people with a negative perception of mentally ill patients has increased," Noppadon Kannika, head of the poll centre, said yesterday. In the latest survey, 37 per cent of respondents admitted they perceived the mentally ill in a rather negative light and only 10 per cent said they had a positive perception. Other respondents reported having both positive and negative views of the mentally ill. When asked about what they heard from the media and acquaintances about mental patients, 44 per cent said they usually heard bad things. When asked what they thought caused mental illnesses, the answers were stress, brain abnormalities, drug abuse, trauma, loss of loved ones, a bad environment, lack of understanding from society and genetic problems. However, more than 80 per cent of respondents believed that mental disorders could be cured, and that the mentally ill should be allowed to live with others. Nearly 80 per cent supported a plan to enact laws to increase the rights of the mentally ill. Most respondents also said they thought society should treat the mentally ill with care, acceptance and understanding. Despite agreeing that most people could have mental problems, 60 per cent admitted they feared having to work alongside or do daily activities with the mentally ill.
|
