World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day is an annual awareness day observed every 10th October. It’s the World’s Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) initiative with the specific objectives to raise awareness of mental health matters around the world, to encourage initiatives in support of mental health, and to reduce the stigma attached to mental health.

World Mental Health Day is about raising awareness of mental health and driving positive change for everyone’s mental health.

What happens on World Mental Health Day?

Like most awareness days, it creates a spotlight on a topic of great importance. Everyone has mental health – it matters every day of the year, but the 10th October is a chance for people to come together across the globe to educate and raise awareness of mental health matters. It encourages everyone to look after their own mental health and those of others through greater understanding and empathy.

Why is World Mental Health Day Important?

776,000 workers experienced work-related stress, depression or anxiety in 2023/24.

Stress, depression or anxiety accounted for almost 46% of work-related ill health and 55% of all working days lost due to ill health in 2023/24.

The main work factors cited as causing work-related stress, depression or anxiety include the demands of the job, lack of control, lack of information and support, work relationships, and roles and responsibilities.

Employers have a legal duty of care to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of their employees, including mental health/stress. Mental wellbeing also benefits the business, for example, increased productivity, a reduction in sickness and staff turnover, and it demonstrates that the organisation is a good, safe, and supportive place to work.

Mental wellbeing in the workplace is also good for the employee, for example, improving confidence, purpose, achievement, positive relationships, and inclusion.

How can you celebrate World Mental Health Day?

World Mental Health Day can be celebrated in so many ways and it doesn’t necessarily depend upon the theme. Many charitable organisations create resources such as posters to encourage promotion of the day and some hold events or activities to celebrate and fundraise to support the mental health services they provide. Everyone can create their own initiatives or amplify the reach of others across the sector. Social media is often pivotal to encouraging and sharing awareness day initiatives, so whatever you do, don’t forget to use the hashtag #WorldMentalHealthDay

Talking about your mental health

1. Choose someone that you can trust to talk to, 

This might be a friend, family member or a colleague. Or you might be more comfortable talking to someone you don’t know, for example, through a registered support helpline. It can help to do a pros and cons list about talking to someone. 

2. Think about the best place to talk

It’s important to choose a place where you feel comfortable enough to open-up. You may want to choose somewhere private where you’re less likely to be disturbed. You also might want to talk while you do an activity, like walking together. 

3. Prepare yourself for their reaction

Hopefully, you will have a good experience when you open-up to someone. But there’s always a chance that they may not react in the way you hope. This may be for different reasons, like they may be worried or not fully understand at first.  If that’s the case, try to give them time to process what you’ve told them. It might help to give them information to read to help them understand your issue.

Talking to someone about their mental health

1. Find a good space to talk without distractions

If you’re worried about someone, try to find a place where you know you can have a conversation without being distracted. Make sure to give them your full attention. It might help to switch off your phone. 

2. Listen and ask questions

Listening can be one of the most valuable ways to be there for someone. Show them that you’re actively listening by facing them, making eye contact, and not interrupting. Questions can help you clarify what they mean and also show that you’re actively listening. But make sure the questions are relevant to what they’re saying, and not changing the subject.   

3. Ask how you can help

Ask how you can help or make suggestions, rather than telling them what to do next. They might want support with making a GP appointment, or just for you to keep things normal and chat about what’s going on in your life.

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