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Psychiatric disorders are one of the most important factors contributing to a suicide attempt, said the Disease Prevention and Control Center's public health expert Toms Pulmanis. According to studies, approximately 90% of those who commit suicide have some kind of a psychiatric disorder.

These may vary greatly, from depression and sleep and eating disorders to dementia and schizophrenia. However, most of such disorders can be treated successfully, said Pulmanis.

A visit to a psychiatrist or psychotherapist is no different from a visit to any other doctor, said psychiatrist Inga Zarde, urging residents who feel that something is wrong with them to consult a specialist.

If, however, overcoming such fears is difficult, the person should at least visit the website of the "Don't Look Away!" campaign, www.nenoversies.lv, where a list of psychiatric deviations and symptoms has been posted, as well as information about the opportunities to receive qualified help.

"Absolute health is the combination of physical and mental health," said the Health Ministry's Parliamentary Secretary Renars Putnins. It is impossible to talk about sound mental health if society is full of prejudice against persons afflicted by mental problems, as a result of which people who are experiencing such problems are afraid seek professional help, he said.

The Health Ministry and the Disease Prevention and Control Center have also prepared videos to be aired on television in order to fight the prejudice, and urge people in need of help to consult witha specialist. The campaign will also include outdoor advertisements, online discussions and lectures, and free visits to private psychiatrists.

According to the Disease Prevention and Control Center's data, every third resident in the European Union has some kind of psychological or neurological problems. In Latvia, 6.3% of residents have been diagnosed to have such problems as of 2012.

One of these psychiatric disorders is depression. It is estimated that 6.7% of residents in the age of 15 to 64 could be suffering from depression in Latvia, but not all of them seek specialist's assistance.

According to the Disease Prevention and Control Center and SKDS research center's interview with residents, 68% know where to seek help if they suspect that they have psychiatric problems. 20% of respondents said they would not know what to do, and 12% said they were not sure.

44% of the 1,005 respondents said that if a person with obvious mental disorders took a seat next to them in public transport, they would feel inclined to get up and relocate. 26% went on to say that this is what they would do, whereas 24% said they would remain seated but try not look at him or her. However, 17% said that they would try to understand whether there is anything they could do for the person.