Lack of time and money prevents people from supporting their mental health, survey reveals

Eva Osborne

A new national survey has revealed that the biggest barriers to people supporting their mental health daily are time at 32 per cent and money (31 per cent).

The results of the survey, carried out by Mental Health Ireland, were released to coincide with World Mental Health Day on Thursday.

The survey shows that while 89 per cent of people do something to intentionally support their mental health each week, only 10 per cent do something every day.

15 per cent of the survey respondents said they do not know how to support their mental health, and 13 per cent said it is not seen as something people in their circle do.

For women aged 25-34, money is the biggest barrier to supporting their mental health at 54 per cent, the highest amongst any age group.

19 per cent of men surveyed said supporting their mental health was not something people in their social circle do compared to eight per cent of women, and 17 per cent of men admitted they do not know how to support their mental health compared to 12 per cent of women. This was highest amongst young men (aged 18-24) at 39 per cent.

Across the population, spending time with friends and family (71 per cent), exercising (70 per cent), and spending time in nature (53 per cent) are the most common ways people support their mental health.

The survey also showed that 99 per cent recognise that spending time in nature is beneficial to their mental health.

National development manager for programmes for Mental Health Ireland, Jo Donohoe, said: “The survey highlights the importance of connection for our mental health with a high number of us connecting in with loved ones or spending time in nature to improve our mood and protect our mental wellbeing.

"We want to show that there’s lots of simple ways we can mind our mental health every day, and that barriers such as time and money needn’t get in the way of this.

"This can be a quick coffee with a friend, a walk in the park, taking a break outside and stopping to notice nature around us, or simply taking some time out to take deep breathes. Better mental health can be available to everyone."