- 1 in every 8 people in the world lives with a mental disorder
- Mental disorders involve significant disturbances in thinking, emotional regulation, or behaviour
- There are many different types of mental disorders
- Effective prevention and treatment options exist
- Most people do not have access to effective care
About The World Mental Health Day
World Mental Health Day was observed for the first time on 10 October 1992. The day, officially commemorated every year on October 10th, aims to raise awareness in the global community about the critical mental health agendas – with a unifying voice through collaboration with various partners – to take action and to create lasting change.
In 1994, at the suggestion of then Secretary-General Eugene Brody, a theme for the Day was used for the first time. It was “Improving the Quality of Mental Health Services throughout the World.” Within three years, the Day had become a valuable occasion for interested government departments, organisations and committed individuals to arrange programs to focus on aspects of mental health care.
World Mental Health Day celebrates awareness for the global community in an empathetic way, with a unifying voice, helping people feel hopeful by empowering them to take action and create lasting change.
Themes Of All The WMHDs:
- 1992-93- An Annual Activity of WFMH
- 1994- Improving the Quality of Mental Health Services throughout the World
- 1996- Women and Mental Health
- 1997- Children and Mental Health
- 1998- Mental Health and Human Rights
- 1999- Mental Health and Ageing
- 2000-01- Mental Health and Work
- 2002- The Effects of Trauma and Violence on Children & Adolescents
- 2003- Emotional and Behavioural Disorders of Children & Adolescents
- 2004- The Relationship Between Physical and Mental Health: co-occurring disorders
- 2005- Mental and Physical Health Across the Life Span
- 2006- Building Awareness –Reducing Risk: Mental Illness & Suicide
- 2007- Mental Health in A Changing World: The Impact of Culture and Diversity
- 2008 – Making Mental Health a Global Priority: Scaling up Services through Citizen Advocacy and Action
- 2009 – Mental Health in Primary Care: Enhancing Treatment and Promoting Mental Health
- 2010- Mental Health and Chronic Physical Illnesses
- 2011- The Great Push: Investing in Mental Health
- 2012- Depression: A Global Crisis
- 2013- Mental Health and Older Adults
- 2014- Living With Schizophrenia
- 2015- Dignity in Mental Health
- 2016- Psychological and Mental Health First Aid
- 2017- Mental Health in the Workplace
- 2018- Young People and Mental Health in a Changing World
- 2019- Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention
- 2020- Mental Health for all – Greater investment – Greater access
- 2021- Mental Health in an Unequal World
- 2022- Make mental health & well-being for all a global priority
- Whilst the pandemic has, and continues to, take its toll on our mental health, the ability to reconnect through World Mental Health Day 2022 will provide us with an opportunity to re-kindle our efforts to protect and improve mental health.Many aspects of mental health have been challenged; and already before the pandemic in 2019 an estimated one in eight people globally were living with a mental disorder. At the same time, the services, skills and funding available for mental health remain in short supply, and fall far below what is needed, especially in low and middle income countries.The COVID-19 pandemic has created a global crisis for mental health, fueling short- and long-term stresses and undermining the mental health of millions. Estimates put the rise in both anxiety and depressive disorders at more than 25% during the first year of the pandemic. At the same time, mental health services have been severely disrupted and the treatment gap for mental health conditions has widened.
Growing social and economic inequalities, protracted conflicts, violence and public health emergencies affect whole populations, threatening progress towards improved well-being; a staggering 84 million people worldwide were forcibly displaced during 2021. We must deepen the value and commitment we give to mental health as individuals, communities and governments and match that value with more commitment, engagement and investment by all stakeholders, across all sectors. We must strengthen mental health care so that the full spectrum of mental health needs is met through a community-based network of accessible, affordable and quality services and supports.
Stigma and discrimination continue to be a barrier to social inclusion and access to the right care; importantly, we can all play our part in increasing awareness about which preventive mental health interventions work and World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to do that collectively. We envision a world in which mental health is valued, promoted and protected; where everyone has an equal opportunity to enjoy mental health and to exercise their human rights; and where everyone can access the mental health care they need.
WHO will work with partners to launch a campaign around the theme of Making Mental Health & Well-Being for All a Global Priority. This will be an opportunity for people with mental health conditions, advocates, governments, employers, employees and other stakeholders to come together to recognize progress in this field and to be vocal about what we need to do to ensure Mental Health & Well-Being becomes a Global Priority for all.