World Mental Health Day

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.Mental Health Week: 7 Ways You Can Get Involved 2 October 2015Retrieved 15 October 2015

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

YearTheme1994Improving the Quality of Mental Health Services throughout the World1996Women and Mental Health1997Children and Mental Health1998Mental Health and Human Rights1999Mental Health and Aging2000–01Mental Health and Work2002The Effects of Trauma and Violence on Children & Adolescents2003Emotional and Behavioural Disorders of Children & Adolescents2004The Relationship Between Physical & Mental Health: co-occurring disorders2005Mental and Physical Health Across the Life Span2006Building Awareness – Reducing Risk: Mental Illness & Suicide2007Mental Health in A Changing World: The Impact of Culture and Diversity2008Making Mental Health a Global Priority: Scaling up Services through Citizen Advocacy and Action2009Mental Health in Primary Care: Enhancing Treatment and Promoting Mental Health2010Mental Health and Chronic Physical Illnesses2011The Great Push: Investing in Mental Health2012Depression: A Global Crisis2013Mental health and older adults2014Living with Schizophrenia2015Dignity in Mental Health2016Psychological First Aid2017Mental health in the workplace2018Young people and mental health in a changing world2019Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention2020Move for mental health: Increased investment in mental health2021Mental Health in an Unequal World2022Make Mental Health & Well-Being for All a Global Priority2023Mental Health is a universal human right2024It is time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace2025Access to Services – Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies2026Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change

World Mental Health Day

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