MORE must be done to end the stigma and “correct the myths” around serious mental illness (SMI), clinicians have warned.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland (RCPS) made the call after YouGov research it commissioned found 72 per cent of the 1,067 adults surveyed think there is a problem with stigmatisation of SMI.

Despite 2021 RCPS figures showing that 16,200 people in Scotland lived with schizophrenia, 52,697 had bipolar disorder and 20,104 had an eating disorder, 73 per cent of respondents pointed to a lack of awareness and education around SMI — a situation just 45 per cent believe had improved in the last five years.

RCPS chairwoman Dr Jane Morris said: “These figures speak for themselves — we still have a problem with the understanding of what SMI actually is.

“There has been a lot of work to reduce stigma around mental conditions such as anxiety and low-level depression, but our polling shows much more work is needed to correct the myths and lack of knowledge around SMIs.”

Pledging to “educate politicians” ahead of the 2026 Holyrood election, Dr Morris added: “Greater understanding can lead to saving and improving lives.”