47 percent of respondents said they believe people with mental health issues are untrustworthy, while nearly a third wouldn't trust someone with a previous mental health problem to babysit.
Paul Gilligan, CEO of St. Patrick's Mental Health Services, says the findings are disconcerting.
“The research findings are very disappointing, but they're not surprising” he said.
“Only 53 percent of respondents agree that people with a mental health difficulty are trustworthy, 67 percent agree that Irish people view being treated for a mental health difficulty as a weakness”.
“And I suppose even more disconcerting, 29 percent of respondents would not trust someone with a previous mental health difficulty to babysit”.
“So they are quite disappointing” he added.
