Attitudes about Mental Illness in Tarrant County

In late 2004, Mental Health Connection contracted with the University of North Texas to conduct a public attitude survey in Tarrant County to determine the community’s view of mental illness. The results were used to establish a base line of public opinion and to provide a framework for the development of an aggressive, comprehensive anti-stigma campaign regarding mental illness in Tarrant County.  For a full report, click here. Some of the results follow:

• More than ¼ of all Tarrant County residents believe children have mental illnesses due to poor parenting and a lack of discipline. (26.6%)

• Almost 1/3 believe children should be placed in an alternative setting as soon as they exhibit a mental illness in school. (30.9%)

• More than ¼ believe people should be hospitalized as soon as they show signs of mental illness. (26.7%)

• Almost 30% believe there is something about people with mental illness that makes it easy to tell them from normal people. (29.1%)

• More than 40% believe anyone with a history of mental illness should be excluded from public office. (42.2%)

• More than half believe major depression might be caused by the way a person was raised. (53.1%)

• More than one in five believe major depression is “God’s will.” (22.7%)

• 55% believe major depression might result from “expecting too much from life.”

• More than 40% believe major depression is caused by a lack of will power. (41.3%)

• Nearly ¾ believe schizophrenia can be caused by general stress. (72.1%)

• The same number believe schizophrenia can be caused by a negative life event. (72.1%)

• More than 50% believe schizophrenia may be caused by a lack of social support. (58.8%)

• Half believe schizophrenia may be caused by the way a person was raised. (50%)

• Almost 40% believe schizophrenia may be the result of expecting too much from life. (39.4%)

• Almost 1 in 3 believe schizophrenia may be caused by a lack of will power. (28.1%)