The World Health Organisation recognises World Mental Health Day on 10 October every year. This year’s theme set by the World Federation for Mental Health is ‘Mental Health for All’, which is especially pertinent given the toll Covid-19 has had on all our lives
There are a number of things you can do to take part if you want to share your support of World Mental Health Day.
The international symbol for mental health awareness is a green ribbon, and the easiest thing to do would be to wear one.
These can be bought from mentalhealth.org.uk/green-ribbon-campaign, and you can also share it as a digital sticker through most social media platforms.
You could also take the opportunity to donate to Fegans and help us to fund counselling for every child that needs it. This year, you can also download our special World Mental Health Day postcards. These are designed to be posted through your neighbours’ letterboxes, to let them know that someone cares. Why not write your own message on the back of a postcard, a few kind words can help to brighten up a neighbours’ day.
Mental health is one of the most neglected areas of public health. Worldwide, close to 1 billion people are living with a mental disorder, 3 million people die every year from the harmful use of alcohol and one person dies every 40 seconds by suicide. On top of this, billions of people around the world have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which is having a further impact on people’s overall mental health. Yet, relatively few people around the world have access to quality mental health services. In low- and middle-income countries, more than 75% of people with mental, neurological and substance use disorders receive no treatment for their condition at all. Furthermore, stigma, discrimination, punitive legislation and human rights abuses are still widespread.
Mental Health for All
“The world is experiencing the unprecedented impact of the current global health emergency due to COVID-19 that has also impacted on the mental health of millions of people”, says Dr Ingrid Daniels, president of the World Federation for Mental Health.
“We know that the levels of anxiety, fear, isolation, social distancing and restrictions, uncertainty and emotional distress experienced have become widespread as the world struggles to bring the virus under control and to find solutions.
Dr Daniels believes mental health is a human right, and that it is time for that mental health to be available for all.