World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day is an international day for global mental health education, awareness an advocacy against social stigma. It is celebrated annually on October 10, as an activity of the World Federation for Mental Health by the then Deputy Secretary General Richard Hunter.

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 human lives worldwide.

History and Significance:

The World Federation for Mental Health organised an annual activity which was first observed on October 10, 1992. That year, there was no specific theme and their main motive was to spread awareness about the issue and educate the people on the relevant issues. In 1994, for the first time, a theme was set. The theme was improving the quality of mental health services throughout the world. 

Every year, the day’s importance grew. Different years had different themes based on their relevance and importance. Themes like Women and Mental Health (1996), Children and Mental Health (1997), Mental Health and Human Rights (1998) and Mental Health and Ageing (1999).

The First Theme planning:

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.” Feedback reports were received from 27 countries soon after that campaign, with notable national campaigns in Australia and in England. Within three years, the Day had become a valuable occasion for interested government departments, organizations and committed individuals to arrange programs to focus on aspects of mental health care.

In 1995 a broad range of international events was reported to the WFMH Secretariat from around the world, ranging from a month-long series of events in Egypt, to a conference held by the French Federation for Mental Health at the Ministry of Health, to a community celebration in the tiny Micronesian Islands in the Pacific. In the United Kingdom, where there was a large national program, we also noted the poignant event at the site of the old London mental hospital which gave us the word “bedlam,” where many volunteers, school children and young people with learning difficulties planted spring bulbs.

List of themes:

Since the early days, the Federation has chosen a theme to be promoted in its planning kit each year. The themes we have used are:

• 1996 Women and Mental Health
• 1997 Children and Mental Health
• 1998 Mental Health and Human Rights
• 1999 Mental Health and Ageing
• 2000-2001 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 & 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 Move for mental health: Increased investment in mental health

World Mental Health Day 2021: Theme

This year, the world mental health theme is “Mental Health in an unequal world”. It focuses on access to mental health services which has remained unequal. While the pandemic has affected everyone, people with long term health conditions, or facing discrimination or parenting on their own are struggling the most and need more support. Leaving the colour PURPLE representing this day.

What is Mental Health?

Mental health is the state of someone who is “functioning at a satisfactory level of emotional and behavioural adjustment”. It is the absence of any mental illness. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), mental health is “subjective well-being, perceived self-efficacy, autonomy, competence, intergenerational dependence, and self-actualisation of one’s intellectual and emotional potential, among others”. Mental Health issues may arise because of depression, stress, loneliness, anxiety, death of loved ones, mood disorders and various other mental illnesses. Therapy, counselling, or medication can help overcome these illnesses.

Why do we celebrate World Mental Health Day?

We celebrate this day to enumerate the significance of those troubled people who might be disturbed due to trauma,financial issues, family issues, body shaming, harassment, personal loss, loneliness or depression. Every individual facing these issues requires some treatment and help as sooner or later they start hampering your mental health. People need to realise it’s not they who are at fault for what they face, which is why this day signifies spreading the importance of mental health and sustaining ways to those who are in true need of help and moral support.

What can Mental Health lead to?

Mental Health has come to focus in pandemic times like never before as people of all age groups and occupations bear the brunt of the ‘new normal’. Health and other frontline workers, students, people living alone, and those with pre-existing mental health conditions have been particularly affected. In recent years, there has been increasing acknowledgement of the important role mental health plays in achieving global development goals, as illustrated by the inclusion of mental health in the Sustainable Development Goals,” according to World Health Organization (WHO).

People with mental health conditions are at higher risk of dying prematurely. Depression one of commonest mental health illness is one of the leading causes of disability while suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15-29-year-old, as per WHO. Majority of the people living with mental health problems in the low-and middle-income countries do not get adequate treatment.

How to celebrate World Mental Health Day?

There are many ways to make this day special. No matter what you choose to do with your time, be sure to focus on yourself and your needs.

1. Donate
2. Check-in with a Friend
3. Treat Yourself
4. Perform Acts of Kindness
5. Raise awareness about Mental Health
6. Check-in with your mental health as well
7. Visits to Recovery centres

The seven components of good Mental Health: 

Few of us could effectively argue that mental health should not be a part of a total wellness. Despite knowing its importance, however, very few of us take the time to foster the habits and attitudes that protect and preserve our mental wellness. In a world ripe with the pressures and stresses of life, relationships, health, finances, and daily living, we must be conscious of our needs and learn the discipline of self-care in order to weather life’s many challenges, twists, and turns.

1. In-person Therapy
2. Community
3. Physical Health
4. Intellectual Health
5. Environmental Health
6. Boundaries
7. Self Care

Devastating effects of Mental Illness:

The long-term effects of mental illness can have devastating consequences on the human body and spirit. An inability to deal with daily life pressures can lead to issues with your job, relationships, and your overall health. Whether you realize it or not, your mental capacity to deal with life can negatively impact others as well. 

While your health and safety come first, it cannot be argued that we all have an impact on each other, and the health of one can significantly impact the health of the other. Trained and registered health professionals such as counsellors can help you in learning how to manage your emotions and feelings. Dr. Stephanie Baker(PhD, MSW) has over 25 years of experience in mental health therapy. She says that 80% of your recovery must come from your commitment and willingness to get better.

Learn to Thrive:

Working with the seven components of mental health will not only add quality and value to your life, but the lives of others as well. Start today and create new, healthy habits that will help you to thrive and live your best life, and see what wondrous changes lie on the horizon for you.

Talking out your issues with a trusted person will always keep you in benefit, expressing yourself always helps and gives a light relief to the mind. Always keep in mind it is completely normal to face such issues and no problem small or big can’t be solved, you just need to keep your will strong and hopes high to fight it from affecting you in the worst ways possible.

You are never alone, even if you may feel there is no one to talk about your issues you can always have an interaction with a councillor as there is nothing to be shy of, but if not then you can always express yourself by writing, drawing, singing,dancing or doing whatever possible to make yourself feel lighter!

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We hope you liked today’s blog and that our content was satisfactory to our readers!

Stay tuned for more blogs and until then stay safe and healthy 🙂

-written by: Jianna Thomas (Vice Head Girl)

-Date: 10 October,2021