1 in 7 Scots wouldn’t ask for mental health help

Savage Cabbage analysed the latest YouGov mental health data, which also revealed people in Scotland are most likely to speak to a partner about their mental health (50%), followed by a GP (37%), and then a close friend (36%).

In fact, Scots are more likely to speak to their GP for mental health support than anywhere else in the UK.

If you were struggling with your mental health, would you, or would you not, talk to the following person / people about it?
My partner	50%
My GP	37%
My close friends	36%
A therapist	15%
I would not talk to anybody	15%
My parents	12%
My siblings	10%
My friends	9%
My colleagues	6%
An anonymous helpline	5%
My boss / manager	4%
Don't know	4%
None of the above	3%

Mental Health

Across the UK, the most popular option was a partner (50%), followed by a close friend (39%) and then a GP (32%).

If you were struggling with your mental health, would you, or would you not, talk to the following person / people about it?
	UK	London	South (Excluding London)	Midlands	North	Scotland	Wales
My partner	50%	39%	53%	52%	51%	50%	48%
My close friends	39%	40%	42%	35%	38%	36%	46%
My friends	11%	12%	10%	9%	12%	9%	13%
My parents	17%	22%	18%	9%	18%	12%	25%
My siblings	16%	16%	17%	12%	16%	10%	25%
My colleagues	6%	5%	6%	5%	6%	6%	7%
My boss / manager	6%	5%	6%	5%	6%	4%	7%
My GP	32%	27%	33%	29%	34%	37%	21%
A therapist	18%	22%	18%	15%	17%	15%	16%
An anonymous helpline	6%	9%	6%	6%	7%	5%	5%
None of the above	2%	2%	2%	2%	3%	3%	5%
I would not talk to anybody	12%	8%	10%	17%	14%	15%	13%
Don't know	6%	9%	6%	6%	5%	4%	7%

Louise Farey from Savage Cabbage said: “It’s reassuring to know that so many people across the UK have somebody to speak to when they are struggling with their mental health.

“For me, talking to my family is essential to keeping on track with my mental health, the same goes for my friends, without them I’d really struggle.

“It’s also nice to see that a relatively high number of people are comfortable speaking to their GP, as seeking professional help is vital if you’re struggling.

“However, it is disheartening to see people respond saying they would not talk to anybody, or don’t know who they’d speak to. There’s absolutely no shame in talking about your mental health or asking for help.

“I strongly implore anybody who's struggling to reach out to their loved ones or a professional – you are never alone in your mental health journey.”