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World Mental Health Day

International observance, 10 October

World Mental Health Day

International observance, 10 October

FieldValue
holiday_nameWorld Mental Health Day
typeinternational
imageWorld Mental Health Day.jpg
captionA poster for the 2023 World Mental Health Day featuring a green ribbon to symbolise mental health awareness
observedbyWorld Federation for Mental Health, World Health Organization, and member organizations of WFMH
duration1 day
frequencyannual
schedulingsame day each year
date10 October
A rally for World Mental Health Day 2014 in [[Salem, Tamil Nadu

World Mental Health Day (10 October) is an international day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma. It was first celebrated in 1992 at the initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health, a global mental health organization with members and contacts in more than 150 countries. On this day, thousands of supporters come to celebrate this annual awareness program to bring attention to mental illness and its major effects on people's lives worldwide. In addition, this day provides an opportunity for mental health professionals to discuss and shed light on their work, making mental health a priority worldwide. In some countries this day is part of an awareness week, such as Mental Health Week in Australia.

History

World Mental Health Day was celebrated for the first time on October 10, 1992, at the initiative of Deputy Secretary General Richard Hunter. Up until 1994, the day had no specific theme other than general promoting mental health advocacy and educating the public.

In 1994 World Mental Health Day was celebrated with a theme for the first time at the suggestion of then Secretary General Eugene Brody. The theme was "Improving the Quality of Mental Health Services throughout the World".

World Mental Health Day is supported by the WHO through raising awareness on mental health issues using its strong relationships with the Ministries of health and civil society organizations across the globe. The WHO also supports with developing technical and communication material.

On World Mental Health Day 2018, Prime Minister Theresa May appointed Jackie Doyle-Price as the UK's first suicide prevention minister. This occurred while the UK government hosted the first ever global mental health summit.

World Mental Health Day themes

YearTheme
1994Improving the Quality of Mental Health Services throughout the World
1996Women and Mental Health
1997Children and Mental Health
1998Mental Health and Human Rights
1999Mental Health and Aging
2000–01Mental Health and Work
2002The Effects of Trauma and Violence on Children & Adolescents
2003Emotional and Behavioural Disorders of Children & Adolescents
2004The Relationship Between Physical & Mental Health: co-occurring disorders
2005Mental and Physical Health Across the Life Span
2006Building Awareness – Reducing Risk: Mental Illness & Suicide
2007Mental Health in A Changing World: The Impact of Culture and Diversity
2008Making Mental Health a Global Priority: Scaling up Services through Citizen Advocacy and Action
2009Mental Health in Primary Care: Enhancing Treatment and Promoting Mental Health
2010Mental Health and Chronic Physical Illnesses
2011The Great Push: Investing in Mental Health
2012Depression: A Global Crisis
2013Mental health and older adults
2014Living with Schizophrenia
2015Dignity in Mental Health
2016Psychological First Aid
2017Mental health in the workplace
2018Young people and mental health in a changing world
2019Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention
2020Move for mental health: Increased investment in mental health
2021Mental Health in an Unequal World
2022Make Mental Health & Well-Being for All a Global Priority
2023Mental Health is a universal human right
2024title=World Federation for Mental Healthurl=https://wfmh.global/news/2024.24-04-17_wmhd2024-themeaccess-date=2024-10-02website=wfmh.global}}
2025Access to Services – Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies

References

References

  1. Jenkins, Rachel. (2002). "Developing a National Mental Health Policy". Psychology Press.
  2. Watson, Robert W.. (2006). "White House Studies Compendium, Volume 5". Nova Science Publishers.
  3. (2010). "World Mental Health Day". Mental Health in Family Medicine.
  4. (2020-04-20). "Distress, desperation and despair: anxiety, depression and suicidality among rural South African youth". International Review of Psychiatry.
  5. "World Mental Health Day".
  6. [https://www.cbhs.com.au/news/2015/10/02/mental-health-week-7-ways-you-can-get-involved Mental Health Week: 7 Ways You Can Get Involved 2 October 2015] Retrieved 15 October 2015 {{dead link. (October 2025)
  7. NEWS, SA. (2022-10-10). "World Mental Health Day: Know the Main Cause & Remedy for Mental Health Problems".
  8. (October 2025). "World Mental Health Day History".
  9. "WHO {{!}} World Mental Health Day".
  10. (2018-10-10). "World Mental Health Day: PM appoints suicide prevention minister". BBC News.
  11. "WHO | Previous World Mental Health Days".
  12. "World Mental Health Day History - World Federation for Mental Health". World Federation for Mental Health.
  13. Lancet, The. (2020-10-10). "Mental health: time to invest in quality". The Lancet.
  14. (19 March 2021). "2021 World Mental Health Global Awareness Campaign - World Mental Health Day Theme".
  15. (1 October 2022). "2022 World Mental Health Global Awareness Campaign - World Mental Health Day Theme".
  16. "World Federation for Mental Health".
  17. (October 9, 2025). "A Global Call to Action - World Mental Health Day 10 October".
Info: Wikipedia Source

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