More people would be comfortable in discussing their mental health with family or friends according to the findings of a survey into attitudes to mental illness in England for 2011. The survey has been published by the NHS Information Centre on behalf of the Department of Health. 

The survey takes place every three years (beginning in 1994) and includes 27 statements which people are asked to either agree or disagree with. The aim is to see what people think about mental health and people with mental health problems.

The main findings of the survey are:

77% agreed 'mental illness is an illness like any other' was 77% (up from 71% in 1994)

70% would be comfortable talking to a friend or family member about their mental health, eg that they had a mental health diagnosis and how that affected them (up from 66% in 2009)

43% would be uncomfortable talking to their employer about their mental health (down from 50% in 2010 - the first time this question was asked)

21% agreed someone with a history of mental illness should be excluded from public office