Empathy vs. Sympathy vs. Ignorance

📊 Estimating Public Attitudes: Empathy vs. Sympathy vs. Ignorance

🔍 Data Sources:

Singapore national survey (N=2,632):

• 38.3% believe mentally ill individuals are dangerous

• 49.6% feel “public should be protected from them”  

Global stigma research:

• Public often views mentally ill individuals as unpredictable, untrustworthy, or dangerous

• Only ~60% of people with mental illness seek treatment—reflecting stigma and avoidance  

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🧠 Attitude Categories & Estimated Distribution:

Attitude Category Estimated % of Public Description

A. Empathy 10–15% Truly understand, compassionate, willing to support and integrate mentally ill individuals

B. Sympathy 25–30% Feel sorry or concerned, but also uncomfortable or distance themselves

C. Ignorance / Stigma 55–65% Fear, misinformation, desire to avoid contact, belief in stereotypes or social distancing

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🚦 Why This Estimate?

Surveys like Singapore’s show around 40–50% of respondents endorse negative stereotypes or fear—this aligns with Igno­rance/Stigma (~55–65%)  

Empathy rates are generally low in public settings; detailed studies of healthcare workers show even trained professionals often retain stigma (only moderate empathy)  

Sympathy (feeling pity but not readiness to connect or integrate) is more common than true empathy but less than outright stigma.

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🧠 Example Interpretation Statement:

> “Based on global stigma research, only about 10–15% of people genuinely empathize with mentally ill individuals.

Another 25–30% may feel sympathy, but still keep distance.

Shockingly, more than half the public (55–65%) hold ignorant or stigmatizing attitudes, viewing mental illness with fear or avoidance.”

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✅ How It Can be Used in the Campaign:

Insert a concise section in your petition or manifesto summarizing public stigma using these percentages

Create an infographic:

Empathy: 10% (green)

Sympathy: 25% (yellow)

Ignorance: 65% (red)

Emphasize that PGS (preconception genetic selection) not only prevents suffering but may help reduce social stigma over time by reducing prevalence

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