Three quarters of people would worry about telling a partner for the first time that they had a mental health problem, a new survey has revealed.

The survey of some 1,500 people by Time to Change, the anti-mental health stigma campaign run by charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, also found that 1 in 10 respondents said it took them more than a year to tell a new partner about their mental illness.

Sue Baker, director of Time to Change said: "People with mental health problems experience stigma and discrimination in many areas of their lives, even within close relationships. This can be one of the hardest aspects of having a mental health problem – when you’re having a tough time, you need your loved ones around you more than ever, but sadly because of the fear and misunderstanding that still persists around mental illness, this does not always happen.

"But you don’t have to be an expert to help your partner if they have a mental health problem. Just a few small words, and being there to talk about it, can make a big difference. This Valentine’s Day is the ideal time to let your partner know you’re there for them."

Time to Change is currently running a campaign, ‘It’s time to talk. It’s Time to Change’, with the aim of getting people to talk about their mental health. As part of this, it has produced a new short silent film. The film shows a woman telling a new boyfriend that she has bipolar disorder on their fifth date. The scenario captures her worries about telling him and he expresses various misconceptions about mental health, but there is a positive and romantic ending.

Actors featured in this video form part of a theatre company called Likely Story who have performed at Time to Change roadshows and events around the country. Many of them have lived experience of mental health problems.

Make a pledge to talk about mental health now at www.time-to-change.org.uk  

Click here to watch the latest Time to Change video