World Mental Health Day 2023 [10th October]

World Mental Health Day is observed on 10th October every year to spread awareness about mental health conditions, with the aim of removing the social stigma around them. On this day, mental health advocates around the world educate people about mental health conditions. World Mental Health Day has been celebrated internationally since 1992 when the World Federation of Mental Health announced the day.

Every year, thousands of people join the World Mental Health Day celebrations to speak up about their own struggles with mental health and to offer support to those in need. Learn more about the history and significance of this day here.

World Mental Health Day 2023

World Mental Health Day was an initiative of the World Federation of Mental Health. This non-profit organization recognized the need to talk about mental health more openly. People who suffer from mental health diseases often suffer in silence, fearing social stigma or lack of understanding. Mental Health Day aims to challenge these aspects to remove the stigma and to make the world a better place.

World Mental Health Day 2022 Theme

Although one in four people will likely experience some sort of mental health challenge at some point in their lives, mental health is still widely neglected. It is still something that people are ashamed to speak of and are clueless about managing deteriorating mental health. This year,

World Mental Health Day 2022 theme is “Make Mental Health & Well-Being for All a Global Priority.”

World Mental Health Day 2022 theme raises the concern about making mental health a priority on a global level. This can be done by breaking the stigma and making mental health-related services more accessible. The World Federation of Mental Health announces a unique theme on World Mental Health Day every year. Some of the previous year's themes are given below.

Previous Year’s World Mental Health Day Theme

World Mental Health Day History

The history of World Mental Health Day can be traced back to 10th October 1992, when then Deputy Secretary General of the World Federation of Mental Health, Richard Hunter, officiated the day. Initially, the aim of the day was simply to educate the public about mental health conditions.

However, with the support of the representatives of over 150 countries, World Mental Health Day became a global phenomenon, and in 1994, it was celebrated with a theme for the first time. The suggestion for keeping a theme for the day was provided by then Secretary General Eugene Brody. Here is the complete timeline of Mental Health Day -

• 1992 - Richard Hunter announces World Mental Health Day celebration on 10th October.
• 1994 - Eugene Brody advocates for celebrating the occasion with a specific theme.
• In the following years, the campaign and movement are supported by the World Health Organization (WHO).
• 2018 - British Prime Minister Theresa May appointed the first ever Suicide Prevention Minister, Jackie Doyle-Price, on 10th October.

World Mental Health Day - Significance

Observing Mental Health Days can empower individuals struggling with mental health conditions by validating them and their struggles. Days like this can make the person dealing with poor mental health feel seen, and can even motivate them to get the support that they need. Moreover, World Mental Health Day is also about reaching out to people in need and advocating for better mental health infrastructure on a global level.

World Mental Health Day Activities

Here are some activities that are observed on World Mental Health Day -

• Public discussions and spreading awareness.
• Reaching out to those in need.
• Checking in on your own mental health.
• Conducting awareness workshops.
• Reaching out to a mental health professional to deal with your own mental health better.

FAQs on International Mental Health Day

Q1. When is World Mental Health Day celebrated?

World Mental Health Day is celebrated globally on 10th October every year. More than 150 countries worldwide celebrate Mental Health Day to break the stigma around mental health and support people dealing with mental health conditions.

Q2. What is the theme of World Mental Health Day 2022?

The World Mental Health Day 2022 theme is “Make Mental Health & Well-Being for All a Global Priority.” Although mental health conditions are common, there is still very little awareness about them. This year’s Mental Health Day theme aims to challenge this by encouraging everyone to make their mental health a priority.

Q3. Why is World Mental Health Day celebrated?

World Mental Health Day is observed every year on 10th October. This day is celebrated to raise awareness about mental health conditions and to erase the stigma around them. Mental Health Day is the right occasion to discuss about mental health conditions and to support the people suffering from it.

Q4. When was World Mental Health Day first celebrated?

World Mental Health Day was celebrated for the first time on 10th October 1992, when the then Deputy Secretary General of the World Federation of Mental Health, Robert Hunter, announced the day. Since then, this day is celebrated around the world on 10th October.

Q5. Why is it important to raise awareness about mental health?

It is important to raise awareness about mental health because there is a stigma associated with mental health conditions and the people suffering from them. World Mental Health Day is a great initiative to begin a discussion around mental health and to educate people about the same.