And a new survey suggests almost one-in-four people believe mental health difficulties are a sign of below-average intelligence.

Conducted on behalf of St Patrick’s Mental Health Services, the survey indicated 60% of those questioned said they would discriminate against hiring someone with a history of mental illness on the grounds they may be unreliable.

Its chief executive Paul Gilligan said the stigma which still attached to mental health issues needed to be tackled with a greater emphasis on the problem at school level.

“Each year, we continue to be disturbed by the level of stigma that still exists towards those with a mental health difficulty,” Mr Gilligan said.

“We know one in four of us will have to deal with such a difficulty like this at some point in our lives.

“That means every single family in Ireland is affected by mental illness.

“We need to challenge the stigma that exists and prioritise mental health in the same way we do our physical health. It has been said physical health is easier to understand because we know that healing is possible.

“However, there is a need to promote mental health education in Irish schools and workplaces to ensure that everyone knows that recovery is possible and those that need help don’t wait to get that help.”

The survey, in which approximately 500 people took part, found 41% of respondents felt undergoing treatment for a mental health problem was a sign of personal failure. And 30% said they would not willingly accept, as a close friend, someone with a mental health problem.

Of the people questioned, 37% said an immediate member of their family had received treatment for a mental health issue.

A further 52% said some of their close friends had been treated, while 49% said they had worked with someone treated for emotional or mental health problems.

St Patrick’s offers a dedicated mental health services for adolescents aged 14 to 18 years and a young adult service for those aged 18 to 25 years.

Figures show that it had 2,000 inpatients last year, including 68 adolescents, 178 young adults and more than 5,000 appointments offered in its community Dean Clinics in Dublin, Cork and Galway.