SANE Research Bulletin Survey

Every one of us needs intimacy in one way or another. It’s part of being human.

Intimacy can mean different things to different people. It can mean different issues to someone at different times in their life – from having another person we can talk to about personal things, to hugging and showing affection physically, through to sexual relationships. They all matter. The effects of having a mental illness, though, can make it more difficult to establish and maintain intimate relationships.

SANE Australia believes people affected by mental illness have a right to express their views on this sensitive and important topic. SANE will pass on those views to decision-makers, together with recommendations on this most personal and important aspect of ‘social inclusion’ through a special Research Bulletin on Mental illness and intimacy in 2009, based on the results of this survey.

Important
This survey is totally anonymous. No information regarding your identity is requested or collected.

Some of the questions are very personal. You should only proceed to complete the survey if you are comfortable answering such questions.

To get an accurate picture, we would appreciate it if you could answer all questions. If you do not feel comfortable answering a question, however, please feel free to leave it with no response. If a question is not applicable to you or you do not wish to respond please leave it blank.

Thank you for your input to this research.

Gender Male Female

State/Territory      Select State NSW QLD ACT WA SA NT TAS VIC Other

Location      Capital City (for example, Perth, Sydney) Regional centre (for example. Geelong, Townsville) Remote (for example, Tennant Creek)

Age 18 or under 19-24 25-39 40-49 50-64 65+

Primary mental health diagnosis (choose 1 only)      Depression Schizophrenia Bipolar Disorder Anxiety Disorder Personality Disorder Other

1. Do you have a close friend you could talk to about your private feelings? Yes No

2. If you do not have a close friend at the moment, would you like to have one? Yes No

3. Do you take part in any activity where you can meet other people, such as attending a recreational, church or support group, for example? Yes No

4. If No would you attend if more were available? Yes No

5. Do you regularly share meals with someone else (a few times a week or more)? Yes No

6. Are you in a regular relationship with someone at the moment? Yes No

7. Do you like to be hugged or touched affectionately by friends? Yes No

8. How long has it been since you were hugged or touched affectionately by a friend?      Within the last month More than 1 month More than 6 months More than 12 months

9. Has mental illness made it more difficult at times for you to develop close relationships? Yes No

10. Has your doctor or health worker discussed the impact of medication on how you relate to other people? Yes No

11. Have you had sex with someone in the past 4 weeks? Yes No

12. Have you had sex with someone in the past 12 months? Yes No

13. Have you ever been forced or frightened into having sex with someone when you did not want to? Yes No

If you have been sexually assaulted and need to tell someone or talk about it, contact a Sexual Assault Service in your State or Territory. See your local White Pages for details, or call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

14. Have the side-effects of the medication used to treat your mental illness affected your sexual desire? Yes No

15. If yes, has there been an Increase Decrease

16. Do you ever experience difficulties with sex (for example, dryness, maintaining an erection), which may be related to a side-effect of medication? Yes No

17. Have you ever had casual sex, with someone you have just met or don’t know well? Yes No

18. If Yes, do you practice safe sex with casual partners (for example, use a condom)? Always Never Sometimes

19. Have you ever paid for sex? Yes No

20. Have you ever been paid for sex (either with money or goods)? Yes No

21. Have you ever had a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD)? Yes No

22. Have you ever been checked for STDs? Yes No

23. If female, do you have routine pap smear? Yes No

24. If female, do you have routine breast checks? Yes No

25. If male, do you have routine prostate checks? Yes No

26. Do you feel comfortable discussing your sexual health and relationships with your doctor or health worker? Yes No

27. How knowledgeable do you feel about your sexual health?      Not at all A little Mostly Have enough