Statistics on Stigma & Privacy
Stigma
- 20% of Americans might not choose to seek help from a mental health professional because they feel there is a stigma associated with therapy. (APA Survey 2004)
- 91% of Americans are likely to consult or recommend that a family member consult with a mental health professional. (APA Survey 2004)
- 35% of Americans give the media the most credit for reducing the stigma surrounding mental health services. (APA Survey 2004)
- Almost 50% of Americans think the stigma of seeking mental health services has decreased. (APA Survey 2004)
- 30% of Americans say they would be concerned about other people knowing they saw a mental health professional. (APA Survey 2004)
Privacy
- 25% of Americans would be concerned about privacy if their employer’s human resources department found out they were seeing a mental health professional. (APA Survey 2004)
- 25% of Americans say they would be less concerned about someone finding out they had been seeing a mental health professional than they would have been five years ago. (APA Survey 2004)
- 68% of Americans would not be concerned if someone found out they were seeking help from a mental health professional. (APA Survey 2004)
- 21% of Americans said that concerns about other people finding out might be a reason not to seek help from a mental health professional. (APA Survey 2004)