A recent survey reveals that six out of ten Danes with a psychiatric diagnosis have experienced discrimination, especially in workplaces and healthcare settings, highlighting persistent stigma toward mental illness in Danish society.
Widespread Discrimination Against People with Mental Illness
A groundbreaking survey commissioned by the Psychiatric Foundation (Psykiatrifonden) in Denmark and conducted by Epinion sheds light on the difficult realities facing people with psychiatric diagnoses such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, and schizophrenia. Out of 1,000 respondents who confirmed having a psychiatric diagnosis either currently or previously, 60% reported having experienced discrimination due to their diagnosis.
The discrimination takes various forms, but it most frequently occurs in the workplace. Many report changes in behavior from colleagues and supervisors upon learning of their condition. Others experience bullying, exclusion, or limited career growth. Similar incidents are reported at medical clinics and job centers, where health complaints are sometimes dismissed or interpreted solely as side effects of their mental illness.
Workplace and Healthcare Are the Most Affected Environments
Survey results show that discrimination is especially prevalent in places of employment and within the Danish healthcare system. In the workplace, people often described being treated differently by colleagues or managers. In some cases, they faced reduced responsibilities or were subjected to demeaning comments.
In healthcare settings, concerns were raised about practitioners dismissing patients’ physical symptoms as being purely psychological. One case highlighted a former schizophrenia patient who was questioned about her motives for visiting a doctor, with the implication that she was imagining her symptoms to gain attention.
Reluctance to Speak Openly About Diagnoses
The stigma felt by people experiencing these challenges is significant. According to the survey, 80% of respondents admitted that they had, at some point, been reluctant to talk to friends, family, or coworkers about their diagnosis. For many, fear of being misunderstood or socially excluded plays a decisive role in their silence, compounding their mental health struggles.
Rising Prevalence of Mental Health Diagnoses
Mental health diagnoses in Denmark are becoming more common. Data from the Danish Health Data Authority indicates that approximately 420,000 Danes have been diagnosed in the hospital psychiatric system over the past five years. Notably, this figure does not include diagnoses made by general practitioners or private psychiatrists, meaning the actual number is likely higher.
Further, a 2023 study from the University of Copenhagen, published in JAMA Psychiatry, suggests that as many as 82% of Danes will receive treatment for a mental health condition at some point in their lives. ADHD in particular has shown a sharp increase: in 2013, around 40,000 Danes were prescribed ADHD medication; by 2024, that number had more than tripled to 133,000.
Common Diagnoses in Denmark
The most prevalent psychiatric conditions in Denmark include anxiety disorders, mood disorders (such as depression and bipolar disorder), substance use disorders, personality disorders, ADHD, and schizophrenia. These are in line with classifications in the ICD-10, the diagnostic system used by Denmark and many countries around the world.
The Role of Stigma and Cultural Stereotypes
Experts from Denmark’s National Institute of Public Health point out that societal stigma remains a serious concern. Mental illness is often invisible, leading to overgeneralization, suspicion, or fear. For instance, people with schizophrenia are frequently portrayed as dangerous, a stereotype that contributes to social exclusion.
Misconceptions about mental illness are embedded in Danish culture and language, often reinforced through media and limited public understanding. As a result, citizens with diagnoses are frequently viewed not as whole individuals but as their conditions, masking their identities, families, talents, and careers.
Invisibility Contributes to Misunderstanding
Unlike a broken arm or visible disability, psychiatric conditions remain unseen. This invisibility often fuels public misunderstanding and mistrust. Combined with massively rising diagnosis rates, Denmark is now confronting the challenge of integrating mental health awareness into everyday life, culture, and the labor force.
A Deepening Divide Despite Increasing Awareness
While mental health awareness in Denmark has increased over the past decade, tangible discrimination, both systemic and social, remains deeply rooted. People with psychiatric conditions often feel they are treated differently and less favorably in critical areas of life. The findings from this study serve as a reminder that open discussion and inclusivity must extend beyond awareness campaigns and into lasting structural and attitudinal change.
