Britons prefer 'healthy neighbours'

Almost a third of Britons would not be happy to live next door to someone with mental health problems, according to a survey.

But the number who said they would be unhappy shot up from 29% to 47% when they were asked how they would feel about having a Muslim neighbour with mental health problems.

The online survey of 2,500 adults was commissioned by mental health charity Rethink to mark World Mental Health Day.

"People with mental health problems from all ethnic and religious backgrounds encounter discrimination, but these figures show just how bad it is for Muslim people," said Ajaib Khan from Rethink.

The research, carried out by YouGov, also revealed nearly 90% of those who responded think people are more suspicious of Muslims now than they were 10 years ago.

A second survey for Rethink examined the perception of mental health within the Pakistani community and found nearly two-thirds of respondents felt adverse media coverage of Muslims was having a damaging effect.

One person who took part in the "Aap Ki Awaaz" (Your Voice) study said: "We feel anger at [the] media's injustice against Muslims, feel frustrated and unequipped to make a difference. All this can affect our mental health."

Sadiq Khan, the Labour MP for Tooting, said: "The greater discrimination that minority communities face in getting access to mental health services is a really serious problem."

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