Scots are urged to start talking about problems

Many Scots admit they find it difficult to talk about their feelings, according to research.

Scots have been urged to talk more about their feelings. Picture (posed by model): TSPL

More than four out of ten (41 per cent) of the 1,045 Scottish adults surveyed admitted it was difficult to talk about their feelings to others, with finances and mental health (both 29 per cent) coming joint second in the list.

The research, which marks the launch of the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) Open Up campaign, found that when people did manage to talk about their feelings, 58 per cent said they had confided in a friend, with their mother the second most popular choice of confidant (31 per cent), followed by a colleague (19 per cent) and sister (18 per cent).

Billy Watson, chief executive of SAMH, said: “Every year one in four of us will experience a mental health problem. If you don’t experience problems yourself, the chances are you know someone who does.

“There is a cultural struggle with the ‘stigma’ attached to discussing how you feel in Scotland. We must change this. By talking, people can form coping mechanisms and effectively approach problems.

“Our campaign is encouraging people to take action, building the confidence which will help them talk about what is bothering them. We need everyone to start their conversation today.”