People with mental health problems often experience discrimination from their families and friends, a new report shows.

The Mental Health Foundation study found that 70 per cent of the people surveyed had encountered problems.

Of those who suffered discrimination, 56 per cent said it came from friends and 51 per cent from family members. Relatives gave advice such as "pull yourself together", or even made accusations of acting.

Nearly half of the sample of 556 people who responded to a postal survey said their GP was not always helpful. Some were told by their doctor to "snap out of it" or "I can only help you if you're suicidal".

Three-quarters of the respondents said they could not disclose their problems on application forms for work or insurance, and 55 per cent felt they could not tell work colleagues.

Mental Health Foundation director Ruth Lesirge, said: "If people are experiencing discrimination or are being told to pull themselves together, then their chances of accessing good support are diminished."

The report recommends training for GPs to ensure they understand mental health problems, and a government-led campaign, involving schools, employers and service users, to fight discrimination.

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