Stigma regarding mental health could be disappearing in the United States, a new survey finds. In the online poll of more than 1,000 adults, 87% said a mental disorder is nothing to be ashamed of, and 86% said they believe that people with such disorders can get better.

And a sizable group doesn't view the most common mental disorders as disorders -- 33% said that about anxiety and 22% said the same about depression, according to the survey recently released by the American Psychological Association (APA).

In all, 81% said they would be comfortable being friends with someone with a mental health disorder, and 79% would be at ease interacting with such a person.

Most respondents (59%) said they knew someone with a mental disorder -- personal experience that APA's CEO, Arthur Evans Jr., said helps fight stigma.

Even so, almost half (49%) would be uncomfortable dating someone with a mental disorder, and only 35% would approve of letting someone with a mental disorder care for a child.

And general fears persist: 33% said people with mental health disorders scare them. And 39% said they would view someone differently if they knew the person had a mental health diagnosis.

People who had experience with mental health disorders were more likely to be comfortable with them.

In all, 42% of those who had never had a mental health diagnosis or had never known someone who did were afraid of people with mental disorders. That compared to 27% of respondents who had themselves been diagnosed and 28% who knew someone who had, according to the survey conducted late last year.

"The results of this survey are encouraging, and a signal that APA's and others' work over the years to promote mental health care is paying off," Evans said in an APA news release. "They indicate a willingness to be more open about mental illness, as well as a strong belief among older respondents that having a mental disorder is nothing to be ashamed of."

The survey also assessed attitudes about suicide. More than 90% agreed that people who are suicidal can be treated and go on to live successful lives and that suicide can often be prevented.

Most also supported openness around suicide -- 87% said people should talk about suicide more openly, and 84% said people should not be ashamed to say a loved one died by suicide.

Nearly 4 of 5 respondents agreed that less stigma and shame around mental health disorders would lower suicide rates.

But 30% said that they would not reveal the cause of death if a loved one died by suicide, and 63% considered suicide a selfish act.

Overall, young adults reported the poorest mental health and the most shame around mental disorders.

In all, 27% of 18- to 34-year-olds said their mental health was fair or poor, compared to 20% of 35- to 64-year-olds; and 4% of respondents over 65.

About 78% of young adults said a mental health disorder was nothing to be ashamed of, compared with 92% of seniors and 89% of 35- to 64-year-olds.

 HealthDay