Media release, 10 October 2010
Survey finds those with a mental illness are more socially
isolated and heavy social media users
As part of October’s Mental Health Month NSW, new survey findings have been
released to reveal that people with some experience of mental illness are often
socially isolated with few close friendships, and are increasingly using social
media to meet people.
The survey is part of a research study by the Mental Health Association NSW into
friendship, social support, psychological distress and mental well-being patterns and
trends in NSW. It showed that more than two-thirds of those surveyed found it difficult to
make new friends, with many now turning to social media sites like Facebook to try to
meet people.
The study supports the Mental Health Month NSW theme of "Good friends help us
bounce back”, which aims to promote the importance of friendships in building people’s
resilience to both small and major setbacks in life.
A total of 456 people completed the online survey anonymously via the Mental Health
Association NSW website during August and September 2010, answering questions
about friendship, social support, use of social media, mental health status, resilience and
well-being levels.
The majority of participants were female (84%), and between the ages of 26-45 (45%).
Almost half the participants reported a past experience with mental illness (43%), with
the most common diagnosis being depression (54%), followed by anxiety (18%), bipolar
(16%), other (7%), schizophrenia (3%), and personality disorders (2%). Most participants
reported having no dependents (67%), working more than six hours a week (74%), and
paying rent (53%).
No best friend
Nataly Bovopoulos, Mental Health Promotion Manager, Mental Health Association NSW,
said that the study revealed that there was a concerning link between friendship and
mental health.
“More than 60 per cent of people surveyed, who have had a diagnosis of a mental illness
such as depression or anxiety, say they have no one they can call a best friend,” she
said.
“And 40 per cent would have trouble finding someone to drive them to the doctor if they
were sick.”
“The study also showed that younger people were twice as likely to have difficulty in
talking about their mental illness, with 32 per cent of 18-25 year olds not disclosing it to
their friends as opposed to only 17 per cent of people overall. This suggests that
younger people could be experiencing more of the stigma attached to mental illness.”
The study also showed the extensive use of social media, indicating that online
communication may be replacing face-to-face contact for some people as they are
finding it easier to meet like-minded people via Facebook. An overwhelming majority
(96%) of 18-25 year olds use social networking sites, as opposed to 72 per cent of
respondents overall.
While the advent of social media no doubt provides comfort for many people, Ms
Bovopoulos also said that it was important to try to develop and maintain face-to-face
friendships.
“We found that people who reported enjoying close, empathic, supportive, and caring
friendships, who like and are interested in people, and who enjoy interacting with others
for their own sake had higher psychological well-being, greater resilience, and lower
psychological distress.
“It is important for us all to reach out to people we suspect may be struggling, and offer
them friendship and support, as it can really help them get back on track,” she said.
Key survey findings
Friendships and social support have positive relationships on our mental
wellbeing and resilience. People who talk to their friends about their problems
have better mental health.
People currently experiencing symptoms of mental ill-health often deal with
problems on their own rather than talk to others.
People with a mental illness diagnosis, and currently experiencing symptoms of
mental ill-health, have fewer people to depend on and rely on for support
Social media can be a useful tool for people to keep in touch with friends, and a
much less confronting form of communication for some people, especially to
make new friends. However, there is concern for vulnerable groups that social
media could replace face-to-face relationships for vulnerable groups.
People who are at risk of, or have experienced a mental illness, can benefit from
developing skills to enhance their social support and develop new relationships.
Experiencing a mental illness can make many people feel isolated from their
friends and family. Further efforts to de-stigmatise mental illness will encourage
more people to talk to others that they trust about their experiences and seek
help when needed.
To mark the official launch of Mental Health Month NSW, a community event will take
place on Tuesday 12 October at Church St Mall, Parramatta, with free activities for the
general public from 11.00 am to 2.30 pm.
For further media information & interviews, please contact:
Sarah Entwistle, 0401 693 381 or sarah@entwistle.com.au
NEWS 
